Peter Gash OAM: Custodian of Curiosity

Not long ago, Lady Elliot Island was basically unrecognisable. In the late 1800s, it was mined for guano used as agricultural fertiliser. The island was  stripped bare. This is a story about what happens when one person has a vision and refuses to let hard work, qualifications or accepted definitions of 'possible' get in the way of curiosity.Regenerating the precious coral cay Lady Elliot Island is part of Peter Gash's legacy. He is the Custodian and Managing Director of Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort and CEO of Seair Pacific Aviation. Peter is a licenced Pilot and has been flying tourists to the Great Barrier Reef for over 35 years. In the mid 90's, Peter took the floats off his seasplane and began flying guests to the coral cay of Lady Elliot Island on the southern end of the reef.In 2005, Peter and his family took over the lease of the island. In 2018, the island was selected as the first site for the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Reef Islands Initiative, a bold program focused on building climate resilience across key reef habitats. In 2020, Peter was the recipient of an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his service to eco-tourism and aviation. Peter talked us through the unexpected interconnections between reef systems and terrestrial ecosystems, the importance of being a ‘doer’ not a gunna, the compromise of flying airplanes, and how he’s embraced his role as an “injection of enthusiasm” for visiting world leaders, decision-makers,  business folk and scientists alike  – from  King Charles to David Attenborough.Send us Fan Mail...Co-Hosts + Production: Lauren L. Hill & Dave RastovichSound + Video Engineer: Ben J Alexander Theme song: Shannon Sol Carroll Additional music by Kai Mcgilvray   + Ben J Alexander Closing track: 'Sunseekers' by AndysixstringJoin the conversation: @Waterpeoplepodcast ...Thanks to our generous sponsors this season:Patagonia Australia: in business to save our home planetNgalung Kalla Eco Retreat: surf adventure paradise The Sunglass Fix: give your favourite sunglasses new lifeSodii: hydration for salty humans...Subscribe to our newsletter for BTS stories from making the podcast, and the books, films and music we’re currently into. Written by us + free to read.