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Australian businessman, civil servant and conservationist (1887-1968) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Romeo Watkins Lahey, M.B.E, (2 June 1887 – 26 October 1968) was an Australian businessman, civil servant and conservationist.[1]
Romeo Lahey | |
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Born | Romeo Watkins Lahey 2 June 1887 Pimpama, Queensland, Australia |
Died | 26 October 1968 (aged 81) |
Nationality | Australian |
Citizenship | Australian |
Alma mater | University of Sydney |
Occupation(s) | Army officer engineer Timber merchant National parks advocate |
Parent(s) | David Lahey (father) Jane Jemima (mother) |
Romeo Watkins Lahey[2] was born 2 June 1887[3] in Pimpama, Queensland, Australia.[4][5] His father was David Lahey, an Irish-born farmer and timber miller, and his mother was Jane Jemima (née Walmsley), a homemaker.[6] Lahey was one of twelve children, with three sisters and eight brothers: Frances Vida Lahey, Noel Alaric Lahey and Percival Ethelburt Lahey, Oswald Lahey, Jerome Lahey Jayne Lahey, Mavis Denholme (nee Lahey)[7]
Lahey received his education at Pimpama State school, Junction Park State School, Normal School and Brisbane Grammar School; his first job was as a clerk at AMP Limited. Lahey studied civil engineering at the University of Sydney.[8] After World War I, he took up town planning at London University.[8][9]
A keen explorer, Lahey enjoyed roaming the forests with his spare time. His father, David Lahey, also one of Tamborine Shire Council's councillors, inspired Lahey to be a conservationist.[8] He had exhibited a high degree of conservationism from a young age. Recognising the value in preserving the forests, he tirelessly campaigned, which resulted in the establishment of Lamington National Park in July 1915.[4][10][11][12]
In April 1930, Lahey founded the National Parks Association of Queensland (NPAQ), where he served as president till his death in 1968.[6] Lahey, NPAQ secretary[13] Arthur Groom and a few supporters of theirs are credited for founding Queensland Holiday Resorts Limited and establishing Binna Burra Mountain Lodge, located next to Lamington National Park.[8]
Lahey was appointed Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1960.[4]
In World War I, he enlisted in the army, serving with the 3rd Divisional Engineers, initially attaining the rank of second lieutenant. He was promoted to lieutenant in January 1917.[7] Lahey served on ship A29 HMAT Suevic.[14] During World War II, Lahey served again in the army, ranking as a major.[6]
In 1919, after returning to Australia, Romeo Watkins Lahey married Sybil Delpratt, the youngest daughter of JH Delpratt, in St John's Cathedral, Brisbane. They had three children: David, Alison and Ann.[8]
On 26 October 1968,[15][16] Lahey died at his home in Yeronga, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He was cremated with Anglican rites.[6]
In 1970, the Queensland Government opened a lookout named Kamurun in his memory at Lamington National Park.[8]
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