In the late 1980s a stone cairn was erected at Woorim with a plaque commemorating the first beach ranger on Bribie Island, Bill Scarth (1915-1986). The following information is from entry 90636 recorded by Monument Australia.
We are seeking any photos of the monument. If you have a photo of the monument please contact us on bribiehistoricalsociety@gmail.com
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Monument Australia - entry 90636
Bill Scarth
Monument address: Ocean Beach, Bribie Island, 4km N of Woorim
Approximate GPS co-ordinates: Latitude: -27 01 21; Longitude: +153 10 39
Monument Type: Monument
Description:
The monument commemorates Bill Scarth, who was the first Beach ranger on Bribie Island.
In the late 1970s Caboolture Shire Council was concerned about the damage caused to Ocean Beach by four wheel drive vehicles, motor bikes and campers. Bill Scarth was employed by the Council to clean up the beach. The problems he encountered were sometimes hazardous but he stuck to his task earning the reputation of a just and fair man in the difficult balance of preserving the beach and the needs of its users.
In 1980 Peter Scott took over Bill's duties and, both in response to requests from the fishermen and four wheel drive owners who used the beach, and Peter's own appreciation of the man himself, Peter Scott erected a memorial to Bill Scarth. The rock and seashell cairn, approximately 1.25 metres high and .7 metre square is built on a concrete base.
Monument Designer: Peter Scott
Front inscription:
In Memory of
WILLIAM (BILL) SCARTH
13.6.1915 to 12.2.86
First Beach Ranger Bribie Island
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Banner of Monument Australia website
accessed 28.6.2012 |
Monument Australia Source: NRUM
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Memorial cairn for Bill Scarth, Woorim Beach, circa 1989.
Photo: With permission of Loretta Street. |
REFERENCESThe Monument Australia website is no longer live in November 2025. The information above was excerpted on 28.6.2012 from http://monumentaustralia.org.au/australian_monument/display/90636
Photo: Displayed with permission of Loretta Street, posted on Bribie Island History Facebook page, 8.2.2021. Loretta recalls "we used to rent off Bill in Nulu Street, Bongaree. He was an awesome man". Thank you Loretta.
We are SEEKING any photos of the monument. If you have a photo of the monument please contact us on bribiehistoricalsociety@gmail.com
