Mary Roberts
1841: Mary Lindsay born in Hobart Town.
1836: Mary married Henry Llewelyn Robert in St David's Cathedral.
Henry began as a clerk and established a successful wool broking and stock-agency company.
1877 Mary and Henry built Beaumaris on two acres (0.8 ha) of land below Sandy Bay Road.
1895: Mrs Roberts began with birds which led to Beaumaris Zoo.
Mrs Roberts had no formal scientific training, but was skilled in animal care. Her zoo, set in attractive gardens, became noted for its display of thylacines as well as birds. The first Tasmanian zookeeper to attract international attention to indigenous Tasmanian fauna. She was the first to breed Tasmanian devils in captivity, publishing a study of her achievement internationally.
Mrs Roberts joined in many social issues. Concerned for the welfare of native animals, she founded the Game Preservation Society and the Anti-Plumage League (1910) and was responsible for the Royal Society of Tasmania's campaign to strengthen the State's protective legislation.
Mrs Roberts had strong moral views and was very patriotic. She raised a fund to erect a statue to King Edward VII and during World War I ran charity afternoons at the zoo.
Mary was rich enough to spend her time doing as she pleased. She devoted her time to her animals and birds. Mary Roberts was very fond and knowledgeable of Tasmania’s bird and animals. She was the first person to breed Tassie devils in captivity.
Beaumaris housed more than 100 species of birds, wallabies, bandicoots, possums, echidnas, kangaroos, quolls, Tassie devils and Tassie tigers. Trappers knew she would pay money for healthy animals. She housed a number of Tassie tigers.
1915: Mary travelled to London and presented a paper on Tassie devils to the zoological society of London and is made a member.
1919: Henry Roberts passes away.
1921: Mary passed away.
1922: Hobart City Council agreed to take over the animals.
1923: Beaumaris Zoo opened on the Domain.
1836: Mary married Henry Llewelyn Robert in St David's Cathedral.
Henry began as a clerk and established a successful wool broking and stock-agency company.
1877 Mary and Henry built Beaumaris on two acres (0.8 ha) of land below Sandy Bay Road.
1895: Mrs Roberts began with birds which led to Beaumaris Zoo.
Mrs Roberts had no formal scientific training, but was skilled in animal care. Her zoo, set in attractive gardens, became noted for its display of thylacines as well as birds. The first Tasmanian zookeeper to attract international attention to indigenous Tasmanian fauna. She was the first to breed Tasmanian devils in captivity, publishing a study of her achievement internationally.
Mrs Roberts joined in many social issues. Concerned for the welfare of native animals, she founded the Game Preservation Society and the Anti-Plumage League (1910) and was responsible for the Royal Society of Tasmania's campaign to strengthen the State's protective legislation.
Mrs Roberts had strong moral views and was very patriotic. She raised a fund to erect a statue to King Edward VII and during World War I ran charity afternoons at the zoo.
Mary was rich enough to spend her time doing as she pleased. She devoted her time to her animals and birds. Mary Roberts was very fond and knowledgeable of Tasmania’s bird and animals. She was the first person to breed Tassie devils in captivity.
Beaumaris housed more than 100 species of birds, wallabies, bandicoots, possums, echidnas, kangaroos, quolls, Tassie devils and Tassie tigers. Trappers knew she would pay money for healthy animals. She housed a number of Tassie tigers.
1915: Mary travelled to London and presented a paper on Tassie devils to the zoological society of London and is made a member.
1919: Henry Roberts passes away.
1921: Mary passed away.
1922: Hobart City Council agreed to take over the animals.
1923: Beaumaris Zoo opened on the Domain.