Stan Colliver, field naturalist extraordinaire for 40 years in Queensland, lived by example of his own philosophy (Presidential address QNC, 1952) which says that
“.... the proper place of the field naturalist in the community, is as an education officer that .... by force of example, turn destructive abilities to the ability to conserve ...., the second position . . . .is that of recorder and the third position is that of student, and in this position we may remain all our life”
Enticed from Victoria by Dr F.C. Whitehouse, Stan (and wife Mary) came to Queensland in 1948 as curator of the University of Queensland’s Geology Museum. Known for his knowledge and collections of fossils, minerals, aboriginal artefacts, shells and books, Stan was an important contributor to the QNC, Royal Society of Queensland, Anthropological Society of Queensland, Queensland Museum Association, the Geological Society (Qld). Also, he served as member or advisor to Great Barrier Reef Committee, Anthropological Section of ANZAAS, Oxley Library Advisory Committee, Place Names unit of Lands Department. Stan received an OBE, Queensland Museum Medals, Fellowships of the Royal Society and a Memorial Lecture in recognition of these contributions.
Stan Colliver’s shell collection (more than 400,000 items now in Queensland Museum) contains rare specimens and is remarkable for the taxonomic and geographical coverage, many collected during QNC excursions. Bromeliads, small cacti and native orchids were a specialty that he tended with the same care that he extended to his collections. For QNC members Stan’s “come ‘n get it” call is a fond memory of a much-respected friend.
References: http://www.anbg.gov.au/biography/colliver-frederick-stanley.html
COLLIVER, F.S. (1984) Tertiary shells. The Radula, 1: 3-4.
STANISIC, J (1992) The Colliver shell collection. The Queensland Naturalist. 31: 54-57. HEGARTY, E., JAHNKE, B.R., MCKENZIE, E.E. & MARKS, E.N. (1992) Obituary,
Frederick Stanley Colliver 1908-1991. The Queensland Naturalist. 31: 49-53.