greatbarrierreef

Hayman Island is the most northerly of the Whitsunday Islands, off the coast of Central Queensland, Australia.[1][2] It is a private island open to the public, most famous for its luxury resort which was built in the 1950s by Ansett Transport Industries. The island is a significant drawing point for tourism in Queensland. The island is small at just an area of 294 hectares (726 acres). In 1947, Ansett Transport Industries acquired the island.[7] Work began on the Royal Hayman Hotel, which was opened in 1950 by Australian Deputy Prime Minister, Arthur Fadden in anticipation of a royal visit to Australia, for which Hayman was granted a Royal Charter. Arrival on Hayman was by Catalina and Sandringham flying boat. In July 1985, a two-year, $300 million project commenced transforming the island into a luxury resort.[8] The works were carried out by Thiess Contractors[9] and in 1987 Hayman was invited to join The Leading Hotels of the World. In May 1998, Hayman Island was sold to the BT Hotel Group.[7] The resort undertook another significant renovation in 2001 and received many of its modern five-star luxury amenities. Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayman_Island

Great Palm Island, usually known as Palm Island, is the largest island in the Palm Islands group off Northern Queensland, Australia. It is known for its Aboriginal community, the legacy of an Aboriginal reserve, the Palm Island Aboriginal Settlement (also known as "the Mission"). The original inhabitants of the island (and others in the group) were the Manbarra people, also known as the Wulgurukaba, who were removed to the mainland by the Queensland Government in the 1890s. The island is also sometimes referred to as Bwgcolman, which is the name given to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from disparate groups who were deported from many areas of Queensland to the reserve in 1918, and their descendants. The island has an area of 55 km2 (21 sq mi). The official area figure of 70.9 square kilometres (27.4 sq mi) refers to the Aboriginal Shire of Palm Island, which includes nine smaller islands. It is off the east coast of Northern Queensland, situated 65 kilometres (40 mi) northwest of Townsville, and 800 kilometres (500 mi) north of the Tropic of Capricorn. It consists of small bays, sandy beaches and steep forested mountains rising to a peak of 548 metres (1,798 ft). The ocean surrounding the island is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, where extraction and fishing are regulated. Great Palm Island's rich volcanic soil supports tropical flora such as mangroves, eucalypt forest, rainforests, hoop pine, mango, banana, pawpaw (papaya) and wild plum trees.[5][29] The surrounding bays have diverse marine fauna, including coral trout, crayfish and coral reefs.[5] However the island has been affected by human settlement and introduced species. There are hundreds of brumbies (feral horses) on the island, considered to be owned by the community. In 2003 there were reports of horses having been tortured and beaten by local teenagers. The problem of the feral animals had been brought to the attention of the Palm Island authorities as well as the Queensland Government, but to no avail. An RSPCA representative said that they needed to involve the children in helping to solve the problem.[71] Since then, the Shire Council and the RSPCA have acted to care for the horses and educate residents,[72] and children are now engaged in helping to round up troublesome animals.[73] Feral dogs are also a problem on the island.[73] Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Palm_Island#Environment

A CORAL reef off Mission Beach has been named after a respected marine scientist in recognition of his pioneering research into crown-of-thorns starfish and ecotoxicology. Dr Robert “Bob” Endean was a fierce advocate for the protection of the Great Barrier Reef and played a key role in the 1960s environmental movement, which led to the formation of the marine park authority in 1975. He was one of the first people to use scuba gear to dive on the Reef and spent more than 40 years working in the University of Queensland’s Zoology Department before retiring in 1990. “Bob was a leader in marine science and a key player in getting to where we are today in reef management,” said GBRMPA general manager Bruce Elliot. “Recognising and advocating the significant threat posed to coral ecology, Bob pioneered crown-of-thorns starfish research, and his research forms the basis of the work we are still doing today.” The reef was officially named by GBRMPA, the Royal Australian Navy’s Australian Hydrographic Office and the Queensland Government. Source: www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/marine-scientist-dr-bob...