Congratulations Professor Anya Reading!
RST Apology to Tasmanian Aboriginal people 2021.
RST Apology to Tasmanian Aboriginal people 2021.
The unexpected death of wildlife biologist, Dr Irynej Skira, at the age of 54 in February 2005, sent shockwaves through the scientific community. His longitudinal study of Short-tailed Shearwaters, Puffinus tenuirostris, also known as muttonbirds, was about to receive international recognition while his recent second marriage appeared to open up a new chapter in his personal life. Who was this remarkable man, what was his contribution to science and what is his legacy? This article draws upon the funeral notes and memories of his family, friends and collegues, to provide an overview of his personal and professional life. It shows how his two periods of fieldwork on Macquarie Island developed his interest in wildlife biology and how he extended it to assume responsibility for the longitudinal study of shearwaters.
It explores his particular contribution to the study over nearly three decades and then discusses his wider contribution to conservation and of wildlife in Tasmania. The article concludes with an assessment of his legacy.
Royal Society of Tasmania, RST, Van Diemens Land, natural history, science, ecology, taxonomy, botany, zoology, geology, geography, papers & proceedings, Australia, UTAS Library
Published Papers
The Royal Society of Tasmania acknowledges, with deep respect, the traditional owners of this land, and the ongoing custodianship of the Aboriginal people of Tasmania. The Society pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge that Tasmanian Aboriginal Peoples have survived severe and unjust impacts resulting from invasion and dispossession of their Country. As an institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, the Royal Society of Tasmania recognises Aboriginal cultural knowledge and practices and seeks to respect and honour these traditions and the deep understanding they represent.
On 15 February 2021, the Royal Society of Tasmania offered a formal Apology to the Tasmanian Aboriginal people.
