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National treasure in Western Queensland
The ABC's Kerry O'Brien has described pastoralist Angus Emmott as a national treasure.
Owner of an isolated 52,000 hectare cattle property, 'Noonbah', Angus is a passionate naturalist. He's also chair of the Lake Eyre Basin Community Advisory Committee, deputy chair of the Cooper Creek Catchment Committee and a board member of Desert Channels Queensland.
For years Angus has been identifying animals and plants in western Queensland and as a result several species bear his family name. While he has no formal university qualifications, his work on flora and fauna and natural resource management resulted in the University of Central Queensland awarding him an Honorary Master of Science.
His passion for his work has resulted in the discovery of a new type of Fairy Wren on his property, 12 new cicada species and sightings of the little-known Cooper Basin Black Cockatoo.
Funding and activities
Angus' interests may have him intensely involved in the management and protection of the Lake Eyre Basin, and in researching flora and fauna near and far, but they're also reflected at a more personal level in the way he approaches 'Noonbah.'
His family took on the property in 1917 and Angus has lived there all his life. "No tree clearing has been carried out here except for fence-lines and roads," Angus said. "Apart from that, it's as it was - semi-arid scrubland about half of which goes under water in a big flood."
Some time ago, Angus gave one wetland on his property a helping hand. He constructed an earth bank to expand the Dingo Creek wetland and retain the water for longer.
But floods washed part of the bank away, cattle trampled it further and the drought increased the damage.
With the help of more than $12,000 from the Australian Government he has now repaired the bank and erected eight kilometres of fencing to keep stock away.
"I know it's man-made," Angus said, "But we've destroyed so many natural waterbird breeding sites in 200 years, it's good to give something back. We regularly get Whistling Kites, Black Kites Ravens, White Necked Herons and other waterbirds nesting here.
"We haven't really had much rain since we repaired the bank, but when we actually get rain, bird numbers are incredible.
"That's why I wanted to protect it, as it's always rich in birdlife, although the drought has really reduced bird numbers."
More information
- Angus Emmott, 'Noonbah'landholder: akemmott@bigpond.com.au
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