My heritage place
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In the late 1990s, land subdivision at Yeronga changed the surroundings of heritage-listed Rhyndarra, a two-storey mansion that had variously served as a grand house.
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Heritage listing for EJ Banfield memorial and grave
A memorial reserve and grave on Dunk Island in far north Queensland honouring author and naturalist EJ Banfield has been recognised for its state heritage significance.
Queensland Heritage Council Chair David Eades said Edmund James Banfield (1852-1923), a nationally and internationally renowned author, was the first European settler on Dunk Island and one of Queensland's early environmentalists.
"Popularly known as ‘The Beachcomber', Ted Banfield made a significant contribution to the conservation of the Family Islands Group, which includes Dunk Island, in the early twentieth century," Mr Eades said.
"He also popularised early tourism in this part of the Great Barrier Reef, a niche that we would call ‘eco-tourism' today.
"Banfield's books about Dunk Island's flora and fauna and it cultural environment established his reputation as a committed naturalist and became celebrated texts for romantics, escapists, naturalists and scientists.
"His work inspired national and international naturalists, artists and authors to travel to north Queensland, particularly to the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, and to work or conduct further research in the area.
"His grave is the only remaining physical evidence of his presence on Dunk Island, the place that inspired his writing and his drive to protect the environment."
Banfield developed a close relationship with the Bandjin and Djiru people who were the traditional owners of the Family Islands.
"He observed their customs and way of life and learnt from them about the island habitat," Mr Eades said.
"He also recorded the Aboriginal names for various features, places, flora and fauna on the island and commissioned a survey plan of the island marked with these names. This was particularly timely as the local Aboriginal population was removed to missions in the early twentieth century."
Banfield Memorial Reserve and Grave was identified as part of the statewide heritage survey, being carried out by the Department of Environment and Resource Management's Heritage Branch.
The Queensland Heritage Council is the state's independent peak body and advisor on heritage matters and determines what places are entered in the Queensland Heritage Register.
Places that are entered in the Heritage Register are considered of importance to Queensland's history and are protected under heritage legislation.