Low Isles

An exhibition was held at the Old Sugar Wharf in Port Douglas and the Cairns Regional Gallery to raise awareness of the Low Isles. The beautiful but sensitive ecosystems of the two islands are protected as part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Known as Wungkun by the Kuku Yalanji and Yirraganydji people they have a long and fascinating history. They were mentioned by Captain Cook in his travels, and a Beche-de-Mer station was later established. By 1878 the light house was built and a succession of keepers and their families lived on the island for the next hundred and twenty years

The Low Isles lagoon, surrounded by coral reef, is home to a variety of hard and soft corals. Each year as the weather warms, usually in November, a day or so after the full moon, the coral spawns. A profusion of eggs is released into the water like a mass of pink champagne bubbles. At the same time sperm is released from the male polyps. A frenzy of small creatures join in the frenzy to feast on the spawn making it a spectacular show for the night diver.

This time is the onset of 'the wet', a time of colour and fecundity in Far North Queensland, when flowering trees are a riot of blossom and tropical fruits are plentiful.

I have concentrated on the history of the islands, in particular the story of Ellen Hannah. In March 1907, after an altercation with the lighthouse keeper, William Hannah set off to see the harbour master in Port Douglas, taking with him his two eldest children Doris and William (Esca) in a tiny row boat (7foot 6 inch flattie. They disappeared without trace until, during the search for the Valda and her young crew, three skeletons were found in the sand dunes at Cape Flattery. Examination of the skeletons in Cairns showed them to be an adult and two children, and since no one else, aside from the six boys from the Valda, were missing, it was assumed that the skeletons were those of Hannah and his two children. Ellen was left with her five surviving daughters.