Ffrench, Jean, and McGregor, Russell (2025) Cranespotting: Billie Gill, birding pioneer. Australian Birdlife, 14 (1). pp. 34-37.

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Abstract

Women birders in this country don’t get enough recognition. This article helps redress that neglect by honouring one of Australia’s greatest woman birders, Billie Gill (1923-2015). She was one of a trio of birdwatchers who, on the Normanton floodplains on a steamy October morning in 1966, realised that the Brolga-like birds in front of them were not Brolgas at all. Thus the Sarus Crane was added to the Australian list. She became so renowned for her birding expertise that her home in Innisfail, north Queensland, became a mecca for visiting birders, local and international. Her conservation efforts extended beyond birds, into, among others, the save the reef campaigns of the 1960s and 70s. All this and much more were achieved while Billie was busy raising her eight children, making ends meet, and caring for her husband who was in poor health from his war service. Her life and achievements deserve to be honoured and doing so will help raise the profile of women birders more generally.

Item ID:	85025
Item Type:	Article (Non-Refereed Research)
ISSN:	2200-0127
Keywords:	birdwatching; ornithology; Sarus Crane; Billie Gill
Date Deposited:	31 Mar 2025 22:09
FoR Codes:	43 HISTORY, HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGY > 4303 Historical studies > 430302 Australian history @ 100%
SEO Codes:	13 CULTURE AND SOCIETY > 1307 Understanding past societies > 130703 Understanding Australia’s past @ 100%
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