Bessie Thynne

All three sisters Mabel, Mary and Elizabeth ‘Bessie’ Thynne were involved in the formation of Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. They were supported by their brother Edward ‘Ted’ Thynne. The sisters sold their land to Landsborough Shire Council in 1941 for a nominal sum, in essence ‘gifting’ the land to the Council and community. Unfortunately, neither Mabel nor Mary lived to see the official opening of the reserve in 1960. Mabel died in 1943 and Mary, who had long suffered from ill health, passed away in 1957. Bessie, the youngest of the sisters, took up the banner and continued to care for the rainforest reserve until 1978 when she died aged 95.

Bessie had a tremendous love for the reserve in particular the giant fig trees and birdlife. This strong attachment to the forest was noted by her friends and neighbours. Reportedly she regularly enjoyed walking through the reserve to one of the large fig trees and often sat looking out across the escarpment watching the wedge-tailed eagles circling on the updrafts. The spot where she sat is said to be near the commemorative cairn which can still be seen today.

While Bessie did not drive, she was still well-connected in the community and confident in soliciting support and donations for the reserve. Bessie was involved in negotiations with the Rotary Club of Maleny and Landsborough Shire Council that resulted in Rotary taking on the care and maintenance of the reserve. Bessie worked quietly and tirelessly in the background supporting the efforts of the Rotary Club of Maleny and Council to protect this special place.

The 12 December 1960 marked the official opening and naming of the reserve. A day which Bessie fondly recalled in a letter to her niece.

Bessie asked Rotary to build a memorial cairn to remember her late mother Mary ‘Cairncross’ Thynne, as well as her youngest brother Edward ‘Ted’ Thynne. Ted had been a big help for the sisters both in protecting the reserve and their life in Maleny. He was the only Thynne sibling who lived in Maleny from his early 20’s. He ran the family timber mill and dairy farm. He married, Elizabeth, a Maleny local, who was a great friend to Bessie. Ted and Elizabeth went on to have five children. The cairn was officially opened on the 22 of August 1964.

Bessie’s work for the reserve never stopped. She went on to donate a further 5ha of land to Council in 1966. This land is near but not directly connected to the reserve. It is part of the headwaters of Fryer’s Creek which flows through the reserve and forms an important habitat for the mountain freshwater crayfish, Euasticus urospinosis. In 1970 Bessie gave Council the funds to build a caretaker's cottage at the entrance to the reserve and a toilet block for the picnic grounds. Bessie took out a debenture loan against her property to enable the construction of this much needed infrastructure.

Bessie lived a long and active life. When she passed away in 1978 at the age of 95, she had lived adjacent to the reserve for more than 40 years. The legacy Mabel, Mary, Bessie and their brother Ted have given the community should never be underestimated. It is through their foresight that we are all able to enjoy this precious rainforest remnant today.

Thanks to Jeanette Nobes and Dotti Kemp for providing assistance with this information.