A plaque to commemorate Kate Weindorfer (nee Cowle) will be unveiled in Cradle Valley later this month.
In 2024 Kate was exhumed from her unkept grave in Don. Her remains were cremated, carried to Cradle Valley and reinterred with Gustav in the cairn that was erected over his grave in 1938. Since then, the Cowle family have had a plaque made as a mirror image of Gustav’s.
Parks and Wildlife have placed the plaque on the cairn.
The unveiling of Kate’s plaque will happen on April 29th 2026 – 110 years since Kate’s death.
Sue Cox will present some background from Sally Schnackenberg. Sally wrote the life story of Kate: “Kate Weindorfer: The Woman Behind the Man and the Mountain” (1985). The reader was left to wonder why so little had been written about this amazing botanist, financially secure, hard working female farmer, and loving wife of Gustav Weindorfer.
Roger Jaensch will represent the Premier at the unveiling, as this is a matter of state significance – Kate was the first non-indigenous environmentalist
Time: 10:30-12:00. There is a free bus to and from the event. It will leave from the Visitor Centre.
There is no need for Parks Passes for those that don’t have them on the day.
For further information contact sue_cox@bigpond.net.au
This is the plan for the day:
Pre 10:30 Guests arrive at Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre
10:30 Roger Jaensch MP arrives
10:30 Guests board bus to travel to Waldheim
10:40 Bus arrives at Waldheim Chalet. Celebratory drink offered
11:00 Speeches and unveiling:
- Michael Carnes – Welcome and Apologies
- Sue Cox – Background from Sally Schnackenberg
- Mr Jaensch MP – Speech and unveiling
- Michael Carnes – Thanks for attendance
11:40 Bus departs back to Visitor Centre
12:00 Event concludes
Looking forward to seeing you all on April 29th
Sue and Michael
Suzanne Cox AM (nee Cowle)
10/3 Wellington Road
Lindisfarne 7015
0488 109 168