August 1946 The Queensland Naturalist 
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papers dealing with entomology, botany, plant pathology 
and other subjects. Among these were numerous papers 
given to the old Natural History Society and the present 
Club. He passed away at Brisbane on 15tb November, 
1943. 
Another prominent foundation member was Dr. John 
Shirley. Born at Dorchester, England, he arrived in 
Queensland in 1878 as one of a party of trained British 
teachers brought out to the Department of Public Instruc- 
tion. For some years he w r as engaged in the teaching pro- 
fession, and his appointment later as Inspector of Schools 
gave him innumerable opportunities of pursuing his 
favourite study of natural history. After leaving the ser- 
vice of the Education Department he was appointed 
Conchologist to the Queensland Museum. He was a versa- 
tile writer on natural history. Ilis wide experience and 
breadth of knowledge were always at the disposal of 
others. 
The name of Rowland Illidge stands out prominently 
among Australian naturalists. Born in London, he came 
to Queensland at an early age, and started out in life as 
a teacher. After spending some years in that profession 
and a period in the railway service, he Avas for many years 
on the staff of two insurance companies. In 1885 he made 
his home at Bulimba, on the right bank of the Brisbane 
River, where he introduced native trees and plants — some- 
what of a novelty in those days. Although best known 
as an entomologist, he had a Avide kuoAvledge of our native 
birds, and he explored thoroughly the area around Bris- 
bane and Moreton Bay in the pursuit of his hobbies. Vari- 
ous parts of Queensland and also Western Australia were 
A T isited by him with the same object. In addition to being 
?. foundation member of the present Club, he Avas also an 
active member of practically all the societies in Brisbane 
connected with natural history. In 1926 the Royal Zoo- 
logical Society of New South Wales did him honour by 
electing him an Associate Member. Mr. Illidge collabor- 
ated Avith the early naturalists in Queensland and earned 
considerable distinction. Quite a long list of published 
papers lies to his credit, many of them containing original 
Avork. Quiet and unassuming, he had a wealth of know- 
ledge that he Avas alAvays ready to impart to anyone seek- 
ing it, and hardly a meeting of the Club passed Avithout a 
contribution from his hand. Rowland Illidge had one of 
those lovable natures that are unfortunately too scarce, 
