AUTHENTIC to his lovely nature and strength in perseverance, the late Alex Floyd,1926 – 2022, was remembered for the impact he made on others’ lives as his life was celebrated by family, friends and years of colleagues on Monday 23 January 2023 at the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Coffs Harbour’s Bray Street.

Celebrating the life of the world-renowned and beloved botanist Alex Floyd, who passed on 12 December 2022 and who lived in Coffs Harbour, his second son, Robert Floyd, led the tributes.

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

Roberts drew the threads together of his father’s life: Alex the scholar, serviceman, scientist, servant and sire (father).

Dozens attended to hear the stories and remembrances of those who had been influenced, inspired, impacted, mentored and politely corrected by this master of rainforest botany who founded the North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens and the Herbarium.

Speakers shared what Alex meant to them personally and professionally.

Botanist Mike Dodkin was a bush buddy for Alex, leading to many years working together, described by Mike as “a total adventure”.

“Throughout his life Alex showed dedication and devotion to his work,” said Mike.

On bush work Mike’s job was to clear the way with his machete so Alex could keep taking notes.

Mike’s most intimate moment with Alex was when they were working in prolific tick terrain.

“I thought I had a tick in my belly button,” he said.

“That evening I lay on the cabin’s kitchen table and Alex got out his dissecting kit and with very fine-ended tweezers found the tick, removed it and I recovered.”

Barry Kemp from the North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens reminisced about Alex seeing the potential for the piece of land in Coffs Harbour, which he lobbied for, to become the site for the Botanic Gardens.

“In the process someone came up with the idea of a lion park, but Alex convinced the authorities that it should be a botanic garden.

“The Friends of the Botanic Gardens volunteer group was formed in 1981 and provided working bees and Cynthia (Alex’s wife) was right there behind him organising preview guided tours before the gardens opened.

“Rainforest botany was his speciality, Coffs Harbour would not have had a Botanic Gardens without the force of Alex Floyd,” said Barry.

Forest activists Nan Nicholson and her husband Hugh worked with Alex in the mid-1970s when he worked for the NSW Forestry Commission as their chief botanist and they were newcomers in the rainforest, opposing plans to log the Terania Creek Basin.

“Alex was crucial to our learning about the rainforest and agreed to identify species at Terania Creek Basin if we did the cuttings.

“He was happy to associate with a band of ‘tree saving ratbags’,” she said, “signing off a letter to me saying ‘keep causing trouble’.”

From observing how he dealt with authorities Nan was inspired to “be like him”, nice while getting his point across.

Nan and Hugh worked with Alex around publishing his book, ‘Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia’, first released in 1989.

This book quickly became the bible for rainforest scholars and enthusiasts due to its extraordinary detail.

Malalia Floyd, Alex and Cynthia’s daughter, spoke of her parents’ 60-plus year-long partnership.

“Truthfulness was important to Dad and perseverance, a ‘don’t quit’ approach, and he was a planner,” she said.

“Dad taught us to do things to the best of our ability.

“I called Dad my guru.”

Malalia fondly remembered that Alex never bought his wife a bouquet of flowers, but he did give her “hundreds of flower specimens”.

Jonathan Floyd, Alex’s youngest grandchild, spoke with affection for his grandfather and carried a message from James, the oldest grandchild.

Graham Tupper, President of the Friends of the North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens also spoke, saying, “While his life has passed, Alex’s legacy remains – preserving, promoting, protecting plants.”

Botanist author Gwen Harden, widely published on the subject of plant identification, acknowledged a great debt of gratitude to Alex.

Gwen played a part in identifying the threatened and endangered plants of the planned route of the Coffs Harbour Bypass.

“It was so cool to see them,” she said.

Rod Holmes, now a farmer in Dorrigo, remembered, “Being in the bush with Alex Floyd I learned amazing patience.”

Mark Graham, an active ecologist on the Coffs Coast, was mentored by Alex from his school days at Jetty High.

“When I became an ardent adventurer, I would bring all sorts of weird and wonderful specimens to The Herbarium for him to see and have identified.”

Rhonda Atkins was the artist who drew the line drawings for early published works by Alex Floyd.

“I was 21 years old at the time, working for the Forestry Corporation at The Herbarium.

“Alex came in one day and asked me if I could help by drawing the specimens he brought in.

“I later found out he was publishing a book – it was lovely,” she said.

City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Paul Amos said, “I am here representing the people of Coffs Harbour who have been blessed to have a man of such standing and knowledge.

“He was the driving force behind the Botanic Gardens, now graded second best in regional Australia.”

By Andrea FERRARI