This post offers some interesting insights to early (post-war) rural life and the early days of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. It also names personnel and their roles.
Geoffrey Ian Chapman was born at the Kingscote Hospital on 21 July 1944. In 1950 Geoff started at Kingscote Primary School and had to first walk from his home at “Brownlow” to the Kingscote Primary school, which was about 3 kilometres. In early 1956, The family finally shifted out to the farm at Birchmore Lagoon and Geoff then had to ride a push bike 9 kilometres to catch the school bus and when huge floods cut off road access, then had to go to the Parndana East Primary School. In 1957 to 1960, Geoff went back to the Kingscote Area School to attend high school.
In December 1960, Geoff started work with stock firm Goldsborough Mort & Co in Kingscote and was later transferred to the Adelaide Head Office.
In late 1961, Geoff left and went home to Kangaroo Island (KI) for a few months to work on his father’s farm for about six months and later and went to work for Pettitt Hardware Company in Adelaide.
In 1963, Geoff’s father purchased the farm opposite and Geoff returned to KI to work on the farms, on the understanding that the second farm would be later transferred into Geoff’s name.
Geoff & Nadia’s first farm home was two steel garages 17ft long X 10ft wide side by side. This provided a kitchen on one side, and two bedrooms on the other. The kitchen had a wood stove and for lighting, they had only kerosene lamps. Geoff & Nadia’s two sons were born in 1966 and 1967 in the Kingscote General Hospital.
The mixed farm
By 1968, they were shearing over 3,000 sheep, milking 30 plus cows, raising 80-100 head of beef cattle, 10-30 pigs and 100-800 fowls, reaping about 50-60 acres of wheat and 40-50 acres of oats, and cutting 50 to 80 acres of hay. Although the farms prospered, Geoff decided there was no long-term future for farming on Kangaroo Island and finally the family shifted back Adelaide in June 1969.
In August 1969 Geoff started working for the National Parks Commission at the Cleland Conservation Park. In January 1972, he was transferred to the Head Office of the National Parks Commission Headquarters at Belair National Park as field assistant to the ecologist – worked at bird banding, research into kookaburra and brushtail possum territories – and travelling over the State looking at possible land for purchase by the National Parks Commission. In late 1973, Geoff was appointed as the State’s relieving ranger for when rangers went on annual leave.
In 1973 to 1976 Geoff went back to night school and completed both his leaving and matriculation certificates and in 1977 started part time studies in geography at Adelaide University.
In early 1976, the Chapman family shifted into the Ranger’s residence at Belair National Park where Geoff was the Acting District Ranger. In 1977, Geoffrey was appointed the District Ranger for the Lower Murraylands and Fleurieu Peninsula Geoff considered his role as District Ranger at Strathalbyn from 1977 to 1980 to be the most enjoyable part of his working life. Being a ranger with the National Parks in those days was not just a job but a highly enjoyable lifestyle. All the rangers felt that they were achieving something for the environment. As the work was so enjoyable, nearly all the rangers spent all their spare time involved with wildlife and parks.
In 1980 Geoffrey was successful in a state Government funded scholarship (1980-1982) to finish an Associate Diploma of Wildlife and Park Management at Salisbury and Roseworthy Colleges, finally completing 42 subjects and 3 field studies. At the end of the scholarship in 1982, Geoff had the choice of returning to the field as a ranger or applying for a new position as Fire and Emergency Officer at Head Office.
In 1982 Geoff’s new Fire and Emergency position was far from what he imagined. It soon became clear that several members of the Country Fire Service (CFS) were anti-National Park. The CFS local fire brigades really did not like to undertake any fire control work in National Parks and often went against any suggestions from park staff of trying to control fires in reserves along control lines. They would prefer to simply light up around the edges of reserves and burn it all out. Geoff found his new role a thankless task at the best of times. Distrust of the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s (NPWS’s) fire management by the Kangaroo Island community was still evident after the 1999-2000 bushfires.
In early 1985 the new Director of NPWS, Bruce Leaver decided to disband the NPWS Fire Operations Unit. He stated the District Rangers carried responsibility for all management issues, including bushfires! Geoff Chapman was offered as Senior Protection Ranger at the Central Region office at Netley – plus the supervision of the State’s Fire Track Maintenance Crew. This work included track crew management and budgets, fire planning, pest plants and animal control. In this period Geoff was encouraged to have annual field days for rangers on innovations and undertake research of various pest plant and animal control programmes including use of biological control with the Waite Institute (examples Boneseed beetle, Bridal Creeper beetles. blackberry rust virus, Polygala pest plant management, biological control etc). From 1985 to 2000 many of the park rangers were leaders in Australia on techniques in pest plants and animal control. Many of the interstate rangers were in awe of the professionalism of South Australian rangers.
In 1991/92, Bruce Leaver closed the Central Region office, staff being transferred to Currie Street Department’s Head Office. Geoff was transferred to Head Office’s Biological Section at Norwood to look after the state’s national parks’ fire planning, equipment replacement and repairs, upgrading the radio network.
From 1994 to 2000, as well as his normal duties, Geoff was appointed as a state representative on the federal Australian Fire Authorities Council and served on several interstate federal Fire Development Committees overseeing the development of Australia-wide fire training, fire operational management, standard firefighting equipment design and new firefighting technology, including aerial bombing operations. In 1998 to 2001, Geoff was seconded to work on the development and implementation of the new South Australia’s whole of government radio communications which included writing specifications and statewide training programmes. His group included SA National Parks, SA Primary Industries, Fisheries, Engineering and Water Supply, SA Forestry and helping with CFS ‘on ground’ new radio management issues.
In September 2001, due to health reasons and stress, Geoff took a separation package from the Department after giving more than 31 years of service. From 2001 to 2009 Geoff worked part time as personal carer for elderly people who had dementia or needed help. It resulted in many numerous humorous situations during help with shopping, showering, dressing and caring. Let’s just say with Geoff’s approach and attitude to life – he was in great demand!
In 2009, when he finally retired Geoff shifted into his house at James Street, Reynella, decided to enjoy life, and overseas travel. Later travelled extensively on interstate bus tours and visiting family & friends. In early 2012, Geoff met his partner Gail, and the two of them started travelling interstate and then went on many annual overseas tours. Geoff’s interest in overseas environment, historical management and the culture was a strong theme. They moved to Victor Harbour in September 2015. Over the years due to his interest in the environment and parks, Geoff continued researching and writing articles and comments on wildlife and natural land management issues.
Geoff has had four major hobbies in his later life: his involvement with Rotary for more than 40 years; then Probus from 2012 to present; genealogy research and writing articles on South Australia’s history; and researching the environment of the lower lakes and Coorong. He also has an interest in gardening and hanging plants.
Geoff’s personal achievements
- Awarded two Paul Harris fellowship medals for community service to Rotary and the community in 2000 and then in 2012 awarded an additional Paul Harris Sapphire pin
- In 2013 awarded Australian Medal for Services to South Australian National Parks and the South Australian Country Fire Service
- Awarded a Bronze medal (10 years) Silver medal (15 years) and a Gold medal (30 years) service with National Parks
- Presented an Australian Fire Authorities Council of Australasia award in 2011 for services to bushfire research.
There have been many milestone work achievements such as developing “Fire Fitness programmes” and use of computers at fires for management of resources etc. He was a major player with Australian Fire Authorities Council working groups from 1990 to 2000 in developing new fire-fighting plant and equipment, truck designs, protective clothing for fire fighters, aerial operations, fire operations management and techniques such as bushfire foams. Geoff was a major instigator for the introduction of “Gpats” into SA fire services (automatic recoding of lightning strikes operated by the BoM). From 1989 to 1999, Geoff was seconded to CSIRO, NSW, Victorian and Tasmanian Governments on a number of bushfire research and training projects.
Geoff’s achievements were enhanced only by the help of his many work colleagues for which he is very grateful. Most of all, Geoff considered his working life and companionship with other rangers and park staff throughout Australia has been the most interesting, rewarding and enjoyable part of his life.
