Deny King

Charles Denison (Deny) King (1909–91), legendary bushman, tin miner, naturalist, artist, environmentalist, lived for fifty years in the remote south-west. His love for the magnificent region and concern for its protection resulted in proclamation of Port Davey's foreshore and islands as scenic reserves (1961–62), and eventual recognition as a world heritage area (1982). Notable among his scientific discoveries are the world's oldest known plant clone, King's holly Lomatia tasmanica; 38,000 year old Banksia kingii, now extinct; and Euphrasia kingii. He also rediscovered the rare orchid Prasophyllum buftonianum. His concern for the diminishing numbers of orange-bellied parrots led to a recovery programme and protection for this highly endangered species. Renowned worldwide for hospitality to bushwalkers, he was often interviewed by journalists, and featured on Australian, German and French television.

Further reading: C Mattingley, King of the wilderness, Melbourne, 2001.

Christobel Mattingley