I am very grateful for having known Richard and have written a (posthumous) letter to him as a way of showing my deep appreciation of his contribution to my life.

“Dear Richard

It’s hard to put into words what you meant to me; only I really know, but here goes.

Thank you for your warm welcome to me when we first joined GBRMPA July 1977. You took me under your wing and introduced me to Townsville, prawn curries and ways of thinking that had never seemed possible to me.

You were the visionary, the missionary and proselytiser for this grand scheme of the GBR Marine Park, working with little guidance and with little precedent. Always theatrical and strategic; it was hard sometimes to know what was in that restless mind of yours.

Thank you for seeing capabilities in me that I hadn’t seen in myself, and for opening doors I hadn’t expected to go through into worlds I hadn’t imagined.

Thank you for your endlessly entertaining impersonations and voices, your limericks and plays on words. I can still see vividly your imitation of the dominant seagull descending into a flock of lesser seagulls and claiming a discarded cold chip - the loud squawking and arched neck. Seagull behaviour as one metaphor for negotiations?

Thank you for your companionship and teaching me reef lore, manta-towing, public speaking, navigating the chaos of early days. We had many adventures up and down the Reef – a mad overnight dash to Low Isles to check out an alleged COTs outbreak was such fun.

Thank you for demonstrating that it’s always possible to find common ground and earn respect from those who might initially oppose you – Queensland government officials, commercial fishers and others who saw the Marine Park as a threat to their way of life and interests.

I will miss you.

Simon

26 March 2023”