FRIENDS of South Solitary Island Lighthouse (FOSSIL) founder Rob Trezise has handed over the reigns of the group to newly elected president Chris Bramley after over ten years in the chair.

Rob was the last lighthouse keeper on South Solitary Island and started FOSSIL with a view to helping maintain the buildings on the island, and to assist the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in preserving the site.

The original idea came from a highly successful similar project that Rob was aware of in Tasmania known as Friends of Tasman Island.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

The group has organised regular visits to the island to assist with maintenance work, and it has been estimated that their contribution saves the NPWS around $50,000 a year.

COVID restrictions have put a stop to these visits and tourism to the island temporarily, but it is anticipated that these activities may resume this year.

Precision Helicopters, based at Coffs Harbour Airport, have operated tourist trips to the island on two weekends a year since 2007, and hope to resume them sometime between April and October this year.

FOSSIL has established strong links with NPWS, Coffs Harbour City Council, the Museum, and the Yacht club over the years, and continues to seek links to the wider community.

Newly elected president of the group, Chris Bramley said, “We are working to broaden the focus of what we do to expand from focusing on just the lighthouse and buildings in such a way that it becomes more relevant to the local community.”

Rob will continue as a member of the committee but plans to let others take on a lot of the work that he has done in the past.

By David TUNE.