FIDO - Key Persons
Few people in the world have had such a long and continuous relationship with Fraser Island as FIDO's Honorary Secretary, Billie Watts. The daughter of an early Lands Department surveyor, Noel Allom, (after whom Lake Allom is named) Billie Watts lived for many years growing up on Fraser Island. She was living there when her brother, Fraser, (named after the island) was born. She began her schooling first at the old school which had been built for the McKenzie sawmill employees near the sawmill and later at Central Station until her father moved north for 5 years at the end of 1929. Billie remembers water been hauled from Wanggoolba Creek for her mother to do the washing in very cold water.
Billie Watts deserves special thanks from FIDO. We manage to create a vast sea of correspondence and minutes. Billie has brought to FIDO her great organizational skills, patience, tenacity, strategic planning, clear thinking, network of contacts, a living history of Fraser Island and a commitment to Fraser Island capable of matching John Sinclair. Most of the Executive are in paid employment, and depend on Billie to deal with the work until it suits us to handle it. The executive sometimes requires tracking down in various parts of Australia from time to time, and Billie manages this without concern. To show some small recognition of our indebtedness to her, we will tonight award her with FIDO's First Honorary Life Membership.
Job Titles:
- Greening Australia Team Leader
Greening Australia Team Leader, Donna Bowe said by E-mail, "I reckon you guys and us guys make a pretty fine team. I can't thank you and FIDO enough for a fantastic weekend (I personally think it was a highlight of my year and feedback from everyone else suggests the same). Your support to get there and extremely generous hospitality is much appreciated by all of us. We felt like we were treated like kings and queens. I always feel great pride with the GA Volunteers - we do attract outstanding people and I always really enjoy working with them.
FIDO President, Ian Matthews noted after the "It was a successful time at Eurong, and the (Maryborough) Council staff seemed amazed at our effectiveness. They clearly have little effect, as even lantana that have been poisoned and burned was reshooting, and it appears that the laborious task of uprooting the trees is all that really works. Maryborough Council would really like a Greening Australia group in Maryborough.
FIA President, Eric Parups said it was foolhardy to spend a million dollars on the Great Walk track while ignoring all the other "Dramas" that are not being provided for on the island. He said that provision of toilets at Hook Point (ferry terminal) and Indian Head where more than 150 backpackers camped each night without any facilities were of a much higher priority than the walking tracks.
Honorary Project Officer, John Sinclair is due to arrive back from a Fraser Island safari to brief the meeting on the full spectrum of management issues on the island and as reported to the Community Advisory Committee. The Executive is also proposing to confer Honorary Life Membership on FIDO's Honorary Secretary for the past 16 years, Billie Watts.
Manta Ray's owner, Ray Mark, appealed to the Australian Competition and Consumers Commission (ACCC) which seemed to be slow to act to restrain such aggressive and consistent predatory pricing policy on this route. A 25-year history shows that the route can support two rival ferry services, provided that no predatory pricing is permitted.
Job Titles:
- Environment
- Queensland Environment
Environment Minister Dean Wells has since announced, "It is now believed that wreckage found at the site is the "Marloo", which ran aground in 1914. If it is the "Marloo" then we are thankful that its exact location has been determined and believe that it has significant historical values worth preserving for future generations."
Queensland Environment Minister Dean Wells said the Great Walks project for Fraser Island aims to feature some of the lesser-known attractions to give visitors a better insight into this unique world heritage area. The new walking track is part of the Government's $10 million Great Walks of Queensland initiative.
Mr. Wells said, "Icon attractions such as Central Station and Lake Mackenzie were a popular option for midway destinations. Walkers seeking peace and tranquility up close with nature will be delighted with this magical island walk. People will be able to escape the daily grind to experience nature in its most pristine state."
"An upgrade of existing tracks that may form part of the Great Walk has started and routes for new sections are completed. A concept paper with details of walking routes, facilities and what people can expect to see on the walk will be released later this year.", he concluded.
Environment Minister Dean Wells said the rangers were appointed under the whole-of-agency Identified Indigenous Employment Program, which was aimed at employing more Indigenous people and those with Indigenous skills and knowledge. He said the arrangement was a step toward reconciliation in Queensland, as it provided job opportunities and social and economic benefits for Indigenous people.