Deny King | |
|---|---|
| Born | Charles Denison King (1909-09-12)12 September 1909 Huonville, Tasmania |
| Died | 12 May 1991(1991-05-12) (aged 81) Hobart, Tasmania |
| Occupation(s) | Naturalist,ornithologist, artist, miner |
| Known for | Preservation of theorange-bellied parrot |
| Spouse | Margaret Ann Cadell |
| Children | Mary and Janet |
Charles Denison (Deny) KingAM (12 September 1909 – 12 May 1991) was an Australiannaturalist,ornithologist, environmentalist, painter and tin miner. He spent 55 years living inMelaleuca inPort Davey, part of the remoteSouth West Wilderness ofTasmania where he discovered the extinct shrub,Banksia kingii, among other major exploits.[1]
King was a tin miner by profession and followed his father, Charlie, to Melaleuca in 1936, where he built a house, which was accommodation for himself and workers as well as the airstrip which opened up tourism for the South West Wilderness.
On 6 June 1940, Deny King enlisted in theAustralian Army where he served through World War II being discharged on 15 October 1945.[2]
On 5 November 1949, Deny King married Margaret Ann Cadell atSt David's Cathedral, Hobart.[3] The couple had two daughters, Mary and Janet.[4]
He was instrumental in preserving the habitat of theorange-bellied parrot and it was in Melaleuca that he discovered the extinct tree or shrubBanksia kingii. King also discovered a species ofeyebright,Euphrasia kingii (nowadays known asEuphrasia gibbsiae subspecieskingii), as well as a flowering evergreen in theProtea family (Proteaceae): King's Lomatia (also known as King's holly,Lomatia tasmanica).[1]
In 1971, the King family's life at Melaleuca was the subject of an episode of theABC television series "A Big Country".[4]
In 1975, King was appointed as a Member of theOrder of Australia for his community service.[5][6]
On 12 May 1991, Deny King died suddenly of a heart attack at the home of his daughter Mary King in Hobart. He was cremated and his ashes scattered at Melaleuca.[7]
