Background
Her father was Professor Sir John Burton Cleland, a notable microbiologist and pathologist who strongly encouraged her early interest in natural history.
Her father was Professor Sir John Burton Cleland, a notable microbiologist and pathologist who strongly encouraged her early interest in natural history.
He was later knighted for his service as a microbiologist and pathologist. Joan Paton was educated at the University of Adelaide, where she majored in organic chemistry and biochemistry. In 1967 Paton became a lecturer on ornithology in South Australia’s Workers" Educational Association.
Among those she inspired to work in ornithology and environmental conservation was Margaret Cameron, who became the President of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union (RAOU).
Paton was active in the RAOU, as well as in the South Australian Ornithological Association (SAOA), of which she was elected Vice-President 1974-1979, and President 1979-1982.
One of the first women to become a member of the exclusive Adelaide Ornithologists Club, of which she was elected President 1991-1993, she also served as president of the South Australian Ornithological Association (1979-1982). She was one of the first women to become a member of the exclusive Adelaide Ornithologists Club, of which she was elected president (1991-1993). 1990, she was made an Honorary Member of the SAOA. 1996, she was made an Honorary Member of the Adelaide Ornithologists Club.