Jack Thwaites
Encyclopedia
John Barrass Thwaites (1902–1986) was a British
Australia
n pioneer Tasmania
n bushwalker and conservationist
. He made lifelong contributions to the community through his work with the National Fitness Council, Hobart Walking Club, Youth Hostels of Australia and his service on several National Parks Boards. Thwaites Plateau near Federation Peak in Tasmania's South-West National Park is named after him.
in northern England
. In 1913 he emigrated with his family to Hobart
, Tasmania
, where he was educated at the Friends' School. During these formative years the principles of the Quaker faith and a love of the outdoors helped shape the future direction of his life. On leaving school in 1919 he joined the Government Printing Office as an apprentice compositor. In his spare time he immersed himself in bushwalking and skiing, and from 1928 began undertaking major journeys into remote areas of the state. Within a decade Jack's passion for adventure and wild places made him a desirable choice as a member on National Park Boards. He held these board memberships in addition to his day job in the Public Service. On completing his apprenticeship he was appointed Costs Officer in the Government Printing Office. On 6 April 1935 he married Cecilie Marion Cripps at St. Georges Church, Battery Point; they had one daughter and one son. In 1946 Thwaites accepted the position of Administrative Officer of the Photographic Branch of the Lands and Surveys Department. In 1958 he took up a full time appointment as Inspector of Scenic Reserves for the Scenery Preservation Board (forerunner to the National Parks and Wildlife Service). He held the joint positions of Secretary and Superintendent of Scenic Reserves for the Scenery Preservation Board at the time of his retirement in 1967.
By nature a man of peace, Jack chose to avoid confrontation wherever possible. Nevertheless, he fought tirelessly for the preservation of Tasmania's wilderness regions throughout his life. An amiable personality and courteous, self-effacing manner endeared him to people from all walks of life. A great raconteur, Jack drew on an inexhaustible fund of bush experiences and personalities as he dispensed billy tea round the campfire. An untiring belief in young people and his work with them stands today as one of his most valued gifts to the community. In 1977 he was awarded the Order of Australia
medal for his conservation work. Jack was an active member of many organizations throughout his life – Tasmanian Field Naturalists Club, Royal Society of Tasmania
, Tasmanian Historical Research Association
(THRA) and the Royal Geographic Society. His greatest contributions, however, were made to Youth Hostels
of Australia
(YHA
) and to the Hobart Walking Club. At the latter he held every position in the club from its foundation in 1929 until his death in 1986. He was made third Honorary Life Member of the Hobart Walking Club in 1948. In later life his charismatic personality and courteous demeanour led many walkers to address him, endearingly, as 'Gentleman Jack'. He remained an active bushwalker and conservationist until his death in 1986.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n pioneer Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
n bushwalker and conservationist
Conservationist
Conservationists are proponents or advocates of conservation. They advocate for the protection of all the species in an ecosystem with a strong focus on the natural environment...
. He made lifelong contributions to the community through his work with the National Fitness Council, Hobart Walking Club, Youth Hostels of Australia and his service on several National Parks Boards. Thwaites Plateau near Federation Peak in Tasmania's South-West National Park is named after him.
Biography
Jack Thwaites was born in 1902 at KendalKendal
Kendal, anciently known as Kirkby in Kendal or Kirkby Kendal, is a market town and civil parish within the South Lakeland District of Cumbria, England...
in northern England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. In 1913 he emigrated with his family to Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
, Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
, where he was educated at the Friends' School. During these formative years the principles of the Quaker faith and a love of the outdoors helped shape the future direction of his life. On leaving school in 1919 he joined the Government Printing Office as an apprentice compositor. In his spare time he immersed himself in bushwalking and skiing, and from 1928 began undertaking major journeys into remote areas of the state. Within a decade Jack's passion for adventure and wild places made him a desirable choice as a member on National Park Boards. He held these board memberships in addition to his day job in the Public Service. On completing his apprenticeship he was appointed Costs Officer in the Government Printing Office. On 6 April 1935 he married Cecilie Marion Cripps at St. Georges Church, Battery Point; they had one daughter and one son. In 1946 Thwaites accepted the position of Administrative Officer of the Photographic Branch of the Lands and Surveys Department. In 1958 he took up a full time appointment as Inspector of Scenic Reserves for the Scenery Preservation Board (forerunner to the National Parks and Wildlife Service). He held the joint positions of Secretary and Superintendent of Scenic Reserves for the Scenery Preservation Board at the time of his retirement in 1967.
By nature a man of peace, Jack chose to avoid confrontation wherever possible. Nevertheless, he fought tirelessly for the preservation of Tasmania's wilderness regions throughout his life. An amiable personality and courteous, self-effacing manner endeared him to people from all walks of life. A great raconteur, Jack drew on an inexhaustible fund of bush experiences and personalities as he dispensed billy tea round the campfire. An untiring belief in young people and his work with them stands today as one of his most valued gifts to the community. In 1977 he was awarded the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
medal for his conservation work. Jack was an active member of many organizations throughout his life – Tasmanian Field Naturalists Club, Royal Society of Tasmania
Royal Society of Tasmania
The Royal Society of Tasmania was formed in 1844.The RST was the first Royal Society outside the United Kingdom. It started as the "Tasmanian Society" formed by Sir John Franklin assisted by Ronald Campbell Gunn....
, Tasmanian Historical Research Association
Tasmanian Historical Research Association
Tasmanian Historical Research AssociationHobart based Tasmanian historical group and publisher in existence since 1951. The Launceston Royal Society became the Launceston Historical Society in 1988....
(THRA) and the Royal Geographic Society. His greatest contributions, however, were made to Youth Hostels
Hostel
Hostels provide budget oriented, sociable accommodation where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed, in a dormitory and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex, although private rooms may also be available...
of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
(YHA
YHA
YHA may refer to:* YHA Australia, a youth hostel association in Australia* Youth Hostels Association , a youth hostel charity in the United Kingdom* Youth Hostel Association of New Zealand, a youth hostel association in New Zealand...
) and to the Hobart Walking Club. At the latter he held every position in the club from its foundation in 1929 until his death in 1986. He was made third Honorary Life Member of the Hobart Walking Club in 1948. In later life his charismatic personality and courteous demeanour led many walkers to address him, endearingly, as 'Gentleman Jack'. He remained an active bushwalker and conservationist until his death in 1986.
Notable Achievements
- Founded Hobart Walking Club with E.T. Emmett in 1929.
- Undertook early journeys to the South Coast (1928), Du Cane Range (1931), Frenchmans Cap (1934) and Federation Peak (1948/49)
- Joined the party which made the first official crossing of the Overland TrackOverland TrackThe Overland Track is one of Australia's most famous bush walks, situated in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania. More than 8000 walkers each year complete the track. Officially, the track runs for 65 km from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. However, many choose to add...
in January, 1931 - Responsible for much of Tasmania's National ParkNational parkA national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
nomenclature, particularly in the Frenchmans Cap region and the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National ParkCradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National ParkCradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is located in the Central Highlands area of Tasmania , 165 km northwest of Hobart. The park contains many walking trails, and is where hikes along the well-known Overland Track usually begins...
. - Pushed strongly for the conservation of Tasmania's wilderness and historic areas through his work on National Park boards and the Scenery Preservation Board.
- Made valuable contributions to the Youth Hostels movement (YHAYHAYHA may refer to:* YHA Australia, a youth hostel association in Australia* Youth Hostels Association , a youth hostel charity in the United Kingdom* Youth Hostel Association of New Zealand, a youth hostel association in New Zealand...
), both in Tasmania and nationally.
Further reading
- Jack Thwaites, (31 articles),The Tasmanian Tramp, Nos. 1–26, 1933–1986
- Jack Thwaites, 'The Ralphs Bay Neck Railway', Papers and Proceedings,Tasmanian Historic Research Association, vol. 20, no. X, pp. 210–220.
- Graham Wills-Johnson, 'Jack Thwaites', Walk, vol. 31, 1980, pp. 6–14
- Simon Kleinig, 'Jack Thwaites', Wild, No. 84, April 2002, pp. 30–33
- Simon Kleinig, Jack Thwaites – Pioneer Tasmanian Bushwalker and Conservationist, Forty Degrees South Pty Ltd, Hobart, 2008
External links
- Jack Thwaites Bush Diaries (Checked 23 Apr 2008)