Reef Named After Activist, John Büsst

John Büsst, date unknown, Friends of Ninne y Rise, Virginia Edlington Collection. Photo Supplied: Mission Beach Historical Society

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Last week saw the official naming of two reefs off Ellison Reef, east of Bingil Bay, after artist and environmentalist John Horatio Büsst. Büsst was instrumental in drawing worldwide attention to the importance of protecting the Great Barrier Reef from pollution, limestone mining and oil and gas drilling in the late 1960s.

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Born in 1909 into an affluent Bendigo family, Büsst met his lifelong friend Harold Holt while attending boarding school. Holt would go on to become the 17^th Prime Minister of Australia. After a short stint at Melbourne University, Büsst dropped out and immersed himself in a bohemian lifestyle by studying art. During this time, he met Bedarra Island artist Noel Wood, and by 1940 he had moved to this tropical paradise. While living on Bedarra Island, John Büsst began to develop an interest in rainforest and reef ecosystems.

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The idyllic island life could be problematic, so in 1957, Büsst and his wife Alison moved to the mainland to build their new home at Ninney Point on Bingil Bay, overlooking the Coral Sea.

After seeing an application for a lease to mine fertiliser on Ellison Reef, Büsst commenced a disciplined and strategic campaign to stop the destruction of this living reef. He engaged scientists, environmentalists, ecologists and politicians, most notably his mate Harry Holt, in his quest to “Save the Reef”.

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Before social media and influencers were even thought of, John Büsst engaged in a media campaign like no other. He was tenacious in writing over 4,000 letters to various newspapers, magazines and politicians and received worldwide coverage. He formed alliances with unions, student activists and conservation groups. It was a David and Goliath fight against the Queensland Government and resulted in many setbacks. As time went on, ill health forced Büsst to pare back some activities.

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John Büsst passed away in 1971. He did not live long enough to see the establishment of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in 1975, which ultimately led to World Heritage status in 1981.

Two years ago, marine scientist and CEO of Reef Ecologic, Dr Adam Smith, proposed that two previously unnamed coral reefs be named in honour of John Büsst. The two reefs are charted as a single feature by the Australian Hydrographic Office, so the name will apply to both.

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On Friday 6 November, at Büsst’s original home, Ninney Rise, this all came together with the official launch of the naming of the John Büsst Reefs. This will ensure that the legacy of John Büsst’s contribution to saving the Great Barrier Reef will never be forgotten.

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      Contributed with thanks by Deirdre Holmes , Mission Beach Historical Society