Thistle Yolette Harris
Encyclopedia
Thistle Yolette Harris also known as Thistle Stead, was an Australia
n botanist
and conservationist
who lectured in biological science at Sydney Teachers’ College. In 1951 she married pioneer conservationist and marine biologist
David Stead
. She served as President and Honorary Secretary of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia
and published several books about Australian plants.
In the early 1960s Harris established the 50 ha
Wirrimbirra Sanctuary at Bargo, New South Wales
, in memory of her late husband, who died in 1957. When she died she left the property to the National Trust of Australia
(NSW).
In 1963 she was awarded the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria
’s Australian Natural History Medallion
. In 1985 she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science
by the University of Wollongong
.
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 botanist
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
and conservationist
Conservation movement
The conservation movement, also known as nature conservation, is a political, environmental and a social movement that seeks to protect natural resources including animal, fungus and plant species as well as their habitat for the future....
who lectured in biological science at Sydney Teachers’ College. In 1951 she married pioneer conservationist and marine biologist
Marine biology
Marine biology is the scientific study of organisms in the ocean or other marine or brackish bodies of water. Given that in biology many phyla, families and genera have some species that live in the sea and others that live on land, marine biology classifies species based on the environment rather...
David Stead
David George Stead
David George Stead was an Australian marine biologist, ichthyologist, oceanographer, conservationist and writer. He was born at St Leonards in Sydney, and educated at public schools and the Sydney Technical College. In 1909 he was a founder of, and during its early years the main driving force...
. She served as President and Honorary Secretary of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia
Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia
The Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia was founded in Sydney, Australia in May 1909 to encourage the protection of, and to cultivate interest in, the Australian flora and fauna. The founding President of the Society was The Hon Frederick Earle Winchcombe MLC . David Stead was one of four...
and published several books about Australian plants.
In the early 1960s Harris established the 50 ha
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
Wirrimbirra Sanctuary at Bargo, New South Wales
Bargo, New South Wales
Bargo is a small town of the Macarthur Region, New South Wales, Australia in the Wollondilly Shire. It is approximately 100 km south west of Sydney....
, in memory of her late husband, who died in 1957. When she died she left the property to the National Trust of Australia
National Trust of Australia
The Australian Council of National Trusts is the peak body for community-based, non-government organisations committed to promoting and conserving Australia's indigenous, natural and historic heritage....
(NSW).
In 1963 she was awarded the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria
Field Naturalists Club of Victoria
The Field Naturalists Club of Victoria is an Australian natural history and conservation organisation.It was founded in May 1880 by a group of nature enthusiasts that included Thomas Pennington Lucas. Charles French and Dudley Best. It is the oldest conservation group in Victoria...
’s Australian Natural History Medallion
Australian Natural History Medallion
The Australian Natural History Medallion is awarded each year by the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria to the person judged to have made the most meritorious contribution to the understanding of Australian Natural History...
. In 1985 she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
by the University of Wollongong
University of Wollongong
The University of Wollongong is a public university located in the coastal city of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney...
.
Publications
Books authored by Harris include:- 1939 – Wildflowers of Australia. Angus & Robertson: Sydney. (With several later editions).
- 1945 – Nature Problems. A book of nature study for young Australians. Brooks & Co: Sydney.
- 1953 – Australian Plants for the Garden. A handbook on the cultivation of Australian trees, shrubs, other flowering plants, and ferns. Angus & Robertson: Sydney.
- 1956 – Naturecraft in Australia; a guide for the nature-lover, the bushwalker, the student, and the teacher. Angus & Robertson: Sydney.
- 1966 – Around Australia Program - Australian Plant Life. Nelson Doubleday.
- 1970 – Alpine Plants of Australia Including Subalpine and Montane Plants. Angus & Robertson: Sydney. ISBN 0207120714
- 1976 – The Ellis Stones Garden Book: Australian Landscape Gardening. Nelson: Melbourne. (With Ellis Stones).
- 1977 – Gardening With Australian Plants: Shrubs. Nelson: Melbourne. ISBN 0170051196
- 1979 – Gardening With Australian Plants: Small Plants and Climbers. Nelson: Melbourne. ISBN 017005120X
- 1980 – Gardening With Australian Plants: Trees. Nelson: Melbourne. ISBN 0170051218
Further reading
- Webb, Joan. (1998). Thistle Y. Harris, (a biography of Thistle Yolette Stead). Surrey Beatty & Sons: Sydney. ISBN 094932485X