Warren Bonython
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Charles Warren Bonython AO (born 11 September 1916) is an Australian conservationist, explorer, author and chemical engineer. A keen bushwalker, he is perhaps best known for his role, spanning many years, working towards the promotion, planning and eventual creation of the Heysen Trail. His work in conservation has been across a range of issues, but especially those connected with South Australian arid landscapes.[1]
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[edit] Family
- Born into the "Old Adelaide Family" Bonython
- Grandfather: John Langdon Bonython[2]
- Father: John Lavington Bonython[3]
- Mother: Constance Jean Warren, Lady Bonython[4]
- Siblings: 2 brothers and 3 sisters - see John Lavington Bonython#Family
- Wife: Cynthia (Bunty)
- Lived in Melbourne in the 1940s - first child born
- Three children
[edit] Personal
- owned the first MG sports car in South Australia
- set the speed record on Sellicks Beach
- The first person to have made many significant walks - e.g.
- across the Simpson Desert (x,000km)
- etc.
- Has climbed many mountains - e.g.
- Kilimanjaro at age 75
- etc.
[edit] Summary
- Born Adelaide, 11 September 1916.
-
- Educated University of Adelaide (BSc).
- ICI Australia Ltd 1940-66, including research and management in the solar salt industry
- 20 years as manager of the salt fields at Dry Creek
- President, Royal Geographical Society of Australasia South Australian Branch 1959-61
- South Australian Chairman, Water Research Foundation of Australia 1961-76
- Foundation Committee Member, Australian Solar Energy Society 1962
- Colombo Plan Adviser on salt to the Ceylon government 1964
- Member of the first executive of the Australian Conservation Foundation 1965-73.
- 1966 - "Retired from industry" aged 50 years
- 1967-1968 - His first long walk in the Flinders Ranges
- Director, Dampier Salt Ltd 1968-79.
- President, Conservation Council of South Australia 1971-75
- President, National Trust of South Australia 1971-76
- Member of the Australian Heritage Commission 1976-91
- Chairman, Evaluation Panel for Natural Areas in South Australia, Australian Heritage Commission 1977-91
- He was a member of the Uranium Advisory Council 1978-83
- Officer of the Order of Australia 1980, in recognition of service to conservation[5]
- President, Royal Society of South Australia 1980-81
- Chairman, Reserves Advisory Committee to Minister of Environment and Planning South Australia 1981-84
- John Lewis Gold Medal (for Exploration), Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (SA Branch) 1984
- President, Scientific Expedition Group 1984-?
- President, Council of the National Parks Foundation of South Australia 1985-89
- Australian Geographic Adventurer of the Year 1990
[edit] Publications
- "Walking the Flinders Ranges", Adelaide: Rigby, 1971. (Reprinted 2000, Royal Geographical Society of South Australia)
- "Conservation in Australia", text by C. Warren Bonython, illustrated by Douglas Luck, Adelaide: Rigby, 1975.
- "Walking the Simpson Desert", Adelaide: Rigby, 1980.
- "I'm no lady : the reminiscences of Constance Jean, Lady Bonython, O.B.E. 1891-1977", edited by C. Warren Bonython, Issued in progressive chapter-instalments 1976-1981.
- "The Great Filling of Lake Eyre in 1974" (co-editor 1989)
- History of the Heysen Trail by C. Warren Bonython, www.heysentrail.asn.au
[edit] His most notable achievement(s)
[edit] Things named after him
- The "Warren Bonython Link" joining the eastern and western sections of the Mount Remarkable National Park.
[edit] See also
[edit] References and notes
- ^ Warren Bonython, Bright Sparcs
- ^ W. B. Pitcher, Bonython, Sir John Langdon (1848 - 1939), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 7, Melbourne University Press, 1979, pp 339-341.
- ^ W. B. Pitcher, Bonython, Sir John Lavington (1875 - 1960), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 7, Melbourne University Press, 1979, pp 341-342.
- ^ Joyce Gibberd, Bonython, Constance Jean (1891 - 1977), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 13, Melbourne University Press, 1993, pp 215-216.
- ^ It's an Honour
- ^ History of the Heysen Trail, www.heysentrail.asn.au
[edit] External links
- Photo of C Warren Bonython AO, 1987
- "Biography of C Warren Bonython AO (Patron of the Friends of the Heysen Trail)" by Jo Chesher, Trailwalker, Winter 2007, pp.18-20
