Obituaries Australia

Baldur Byles, by Gab Carpay, 1975

Archives Program, Australian National University, 1885/​8190

In the Queen’s Birthday Honours for 1975 Baldur Byles, Fellow of the Institute of Foresters of Australia, was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to the community. His recommendation read as follows:

“For many years he was an outstanding worker for the preservation of the Australian countryside. He was one of the original trustees of the Kosciusko State Park when it was set up in 1944 and until his retirement due to ill-health he was one of its most active members. He served in the N.S.W. Forestry Commission from 1926 to 1969.”

This information is not strictly correct. Baldur served with the Trust for its entire existence, i.e. until it was disbanded by the passing of the National Parks and Wildlife Act in 1967. Baldur’s time with the Commission was interrupted between 1927 and 1932 when he served with the Commonwealth Forestry Bureau.

After being very ill for many months, Baldur Byles died on 16 August 1975.

Living on are respect and love for his person and his work.