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Category Archives: History
Review of Saving K’gari from the Sand Miners: Memoir of the Fraser Island Environmental Inquiry, 1975–76 by Chris Loorham
Chris Loorham’s memoir is a rich, engaging, and historically valuable contribution to Australian environmental history. It blends personal narrative, legal analysis, and political context to illuminate the Fraser Island Environmental Inquiry (1975–76), a pivotal moment in the evolution of Commonwealth environmental powers. The paper succeeds in offering both a reflective personal account and a substantive explanation of how respectful relationships, inclusive leadership, and independent inquiry shaped a landmark conservation outcome.
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Celebrating 20 years – FINIA in review
In December 2005, a group of organisations with a common interest in addressing weeds on K’gari met to discuss how to improve collaboration and prioritise activities.
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The TSS Maheno – Lest We Forget
K’gari’s most famous shipwreck is that of the TSS Maheno on the island’s eastern shore. The TSS Maheno was owned by the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand and more significantly, it was designated as the NZ Hospital Ship TSS Maheno (HMNZHS No 1) in WW1.
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John Sinclair Memorial Lecture 2024
On 15 June, 130 people gathered at the Auditorium of the Mount Coo-tha Botanical Gardens to hear esteemed environmental campaigner Dr Bob Brown deliver the third John Sinclair Memorial Lecture.
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What July 4 Means for Australia
I’m writing on 26 January 2024, the day on which Australia effectively celebrates the 4 July 1776 Declaration of Independence of Britain’s North American colonies.
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A Historical Perspective on Dingo Attacks in Australia
A fascinating paper was published last year (2022) in the Journal: Animals. Titled Before Azaria: A historical perspective on dingo attacks. The paper was written by Adam Brumm from the Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, Griffith University. The paper investigates the origin of the once-popular belief (and misconception) in Australian society that wild dingoes do not attack humans.
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BAC promotes Wongari-Wise on K’gari
The BAC’s Communication and Education Officer, Tessa Waia, has been stepping up the BAC’s involvement in wongari (dingo) management on K’gari.
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K’gari – Always Was, Always Will Be
On 7 June 2023, the world’s largest sand island and formerly known as Fraser Island, officially reclaimed her Butchulla name of K’gari.
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Celebrating Thirty Years of World Heritage
There is little doubt that the pathway to World Heritage for K’gari (Fraser Island) has been contentious. The colonial fight for K’gari started in 1770, when HMS Endeavour, carrying Lt James Cook and Sir Joseph Banks, scientist and sponsor for the trip, recorded the island.
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K’gari World Heritage Discovery Centre Opens
The K’gari World Heritage Area Discovery Centre at Kingfisher Bay Resort is now open! The Centre aims to provide a dynamic, non-commercial learning experience that engages adults and children visiting the island.
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FINIA 