Kathleen McArthur facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kathleen McArthur
Born	1915 (1915) Brisbane, Australia
Died	2000 (aged 84–85) Caloundra, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Known for	Author, botanical illustrator, naturalist

Kathleen McArthur (1915–2000) was an amazing Australian woman. She loved nature and worked hard to protect it. Kathleen was a naturalist, which means she studied plants and animals. She was also a talented writer and an artist who drew plants. People called her a conservationist because she fought to save the environment.

Kathleen was born in Brisbane, Queensland. Her parents were Catherine and Daniel Evans. Her mother came from the famous Durack family, who were big landowners. Her father helped start a company called Evans Deakin and Company. Kathleen married Malcolm McArthur in 1938. They had three children together. They later divorced in 1947. From 1942, Kathleen lived in Caloundra, a town on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

Protecting Nature: Environmental Work

Kathleen McArthur was a very strong environmentalist. This means she cared deeply about the natural world. She wanted to protect it for everyone. In 1962, she helped start a group called the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland. She worked with friends like Judith Wright and David Fleay. Kathleen was a vice-president of this society until 1965. In 1963, she even started a local branch of the society in Caloundra.

Saving Special Places

Kathleen worked on many campaigns to save natural areas. These places were in danger from new buildings or businesses. In the 1960s and 1970s, she helped protect places like the Pumicestone Passage. She also worked to save parts of the Great Barrier Reef. Another important area she helped protect was the Cooloola section. This area is now part of the Great Sandy National Park.

Funding Conservation Efforts

Kathleen found creative ways to pay for her conservation work. She grew and sold native plants. She also held art shows where she sold her beautiful wildflower paintings. These sales helped fund her efforts to protect nature.

The Wallum Country

Kathleen was especially worried about the "Wallum country." This is a special type of land in South East Queensland. It has unique coastal heathlands and swamps. These areas grow on sandy soils. They are home to many different kinds of plants and flowers. Kathleen worked hard to keep these important habitats safe.

Recognition for Her Work

Kathleen's amazing work was recognized. A spider was named after her: Ozicrypta mcarthurae. This was a special honor for her conservation efforts. In 1996, she received an honorary doctorate from James Cook University. This was like getting a special award for her lifetime of work.

Today, a beautiful park is named after her. It is called Currimundi Lake (Kathleen McArthur) Conservation Park. This park helps remember her dedication to nature.

Kathleen McArthur's Writings

Kathleen McArthur was also a talented writer. She wrote a weekly column for her local newspaper. It was called "Wildlife and Landscape." She shared her thoughts on nature and the environment.

She also started something called the Lunch Hour Theatre in Caloundra. This was a monthly event. Kathleen wrote plays and scripts for these shows. Her plays were often about environmental topics. They also covered stories about people's lives and history.

Kathleen wrote and illustrated several books. Here are some of them:

• 1959 – Queensland Wildflowers – A Selection.
• 1978 – Pumicestone Passage: A Living Waterway.
• 1981 – Bread and Dripping Days: An Australian Growing Up in the 20s.
• 1982 – The Bush in Bloom: A Wildflower Artist’s Year in Paintings and Words.
• 1985 – The Little Fishes of Pumicestone Passage.
• 1986 – Looking at Australian Wildflowers.
• 1989 – Living on the Coast.

See also

• List of Australian botanical illustrators