Legendary gardener Tom Wyatt remembered for changing the face of Rockhampton

Of Tom Wyatt’s many stories his rescue mission to transport two chimpanzees to the Rockhampton Zoo stands out as one of the most extraordinary.

Gardening guru Tom Wyatt

Of the many stories about Tom Wyatt’s remarkable life, his rescue mission to transport two chimpanzees to the Rockhampton Zoo stands out as one of the most extraordinary.

The colourful tale was told by his good friend Cr Cherie Rutherford at Mr Wyatt’s funeral service in Rockhampton today (Friday) before the larger-than-life character was laid to rest in the very Memorial Gardens Cemetery he developed at Nerimbera.

The legendary Central Queensland gardener and community leader passed away on January 1 aged 78 and leaves behind a huge contribution to the region and its citizens.

As Cr Rutherford spoke about his list of achievements, she highlighted his kindness and love for all living things, including the chimp rescue story to illustrate his can-do-anything character.

“Cassius and Octavius (the Rockhampton Zoo chimps) were his pride and joy and he shared a very close bond with his chimp boys,” she said.

Ockie the chimp at the Rockhampton Zoo

“The story of how he came to get Cassie and Ockie (in 1986) is now infamous and a bit like a good fishing story it seems to be embellished every time it’s told.”

She said Tom had heard two chimps at Tweed Heads, which had been hand raised and used as circus animals, had nowhere to be homed and were going to be euthanized.

“So he spoke to (Rockhampton) Mayor Jim Webber and secretive plans were quickly put place to save them. An enclosure was built at super speed and Tom and Cr John Broad set off to collect Cassy and Ockie,” she said.

“In what can only be described as a workplace health and safety nightmare expedition, Tom and John proceeded to drive home in a ute with two full grown male chimps sleeping in cages in the back.

”A tarp covered the cages so no one would know the very unusual cargo which was being transported in a trusty old ute.

“They drove as far and fast as they could before stopping only to refuel all the while hoping the sedation would not wear off until they got to the zoo.

“The mind boggles with what might have gone wrong but in the end the rescue mission succeeded and how very fortunate we were to have these amazing creatures at our zoo.”

Cr Rutherford said Tom was a highly intuitive person who treated all he met with kindness and dignity.

Tom Wyatt was the Environment Winner at the Pride of Australia Awards at Customs House

Tom, as the longtime curator of the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens and council’s director of parks and gardens (appointed in 1974), went about upgrading the zoo and transforming the green space and liveability of the city.

“He could see an empty space or a used dump site and built gardens, parks, cemeteries, play areas, walking tracks and even a waterfall (Kershaw Gardens) which has since been of the most recognised and photographed landmarks in this city,” she said.

“He built enclosures to house animals that could not survive in the wild, or had nowhere else to go.

“Bird aviaries, free range areas, koala habitats, reptile enclosures, you name it and Tom would find or build a home for it at the Botanic Gardens Zoo.”

She said great things can come from humble beginnings.

"The family home (Tom was father to seven children) at the gardens was known as the house with many children, possibly why its only neighbours were croquet and tennis courts and a golf course,” she said.

Tom Wyatt as a Rockhampton council candidate in 1997.

“It was also known as the animal hospital where many sick or injured animals went to be nursed back to health.

“Incubators hatching chicken or emu eggs were part of the furniture and baby joeys hung in flannelette pillowcases on doors with bar heaters to keep them warm.”

She said the home was also a refuge for rescued dogs which Tom had personally removed from homes whenever there was a report of cruelty.

One of the dogs he saved was called Smokey and it became Tom’s trusted companion for many years, taking “pride of place” in the front seat of Tom’s vehicle while the kids were relegated to the back.

She said Tom believed the zoo chimps to be amazing creatures and he marveled how they never forgot a human face.

Radio Gardening Star Tom Wyatt and Carol Cameron were on hand to judge the Mackay Regional Gardening Competition.

She said if Tom was ever missing from his desk during work hours, “which was often as he hated being indoors”, the first place they would look was the chimp enclosure.

“He would take them a milkshake or frozen fruit treat on hot days and feed or chat to them through the cage,” she said.

It was during these meetings the chimps also acted as Tom’s “personal, highly accurate, skincare specialists”.

“They would pick and point at Tom’s hands and arms and Tom believed they found many a skin cancer that he would then get checked by professionals.”

She said Tom saw every conversation as a way of educating himself and others.

“Even without asking, you would find yourself engaged and learning in his company,” she said.

“This was especially so with children.”

Livingstone Cr Tom Wyatt looking forward to seeing some fresh faces around the Livingstone Shire table after both he and Cr Jan Kelly opt out at the 2020 elections.

She said his actions spoke volumes with kindness evident in every facet of his life.

“He had a soft heart for the underdog,” she said.

“He loved telling his children that he had found Santa a new home when he helped a homeless man living on the streets of Rockhampton into accommodation at Talbot Estate (independent living estate).

“Tom recognised a person’s life, though small in appearance, has incredible value.”

She said Tom had put a council team in place to assist in the building of the Dreamtime Cultural Centre to enable schoolchildren to be educated in the ways of First Nations people. Tom felt a strong connection to land as his mother’s family came from the Gilberton in North Qld.

Tom Wyatt (holding sign) with members of the Talbot Estate Board and management Brad Keyworth, Lorraine Thornton, Graham Ivers, Tom Wyatt, Jeff Krause, Damien Martin, Graeme Brady, Jeff Brett

She said Tom’s vision of heaven was how he planned the Memorial Gardens Cemetery at Nerimbera.

She said Tom researched the garden of Gethsemane to connect Christian understanding of faith to the afterlife which included the design of the pearly gates entrance.

“(It’s there) after a long and fruitful life, that Tom will be greeted by Saint Peter and I’m sure Tom will not hesitate to tell him he needs to pee on his citrus trees,” she said to laughter from the hundreds gathered at the service.

She said Tom had a saying if anyone was “getting too big for their breeches”.

“If you think you are needed, put your hand into a bucket of water and see what impression you make.”

Cr Tom Wyatt jumping on the rope in the Tug-O-War on the beach

She said Tom was wrong, because he had left an impression on Rockhampton “like we were trampled by a bull elephant”.

She offered her condolences to Tom’s family and said their Tom was truly an amazing man.

“He was larger than life and as iconic as the landmarks he built,” she said.

“He changed the face of Rockhampton and his fingerprints are everywhere you look but even more than that he touched the lives and hearts of so many people.

“Our community owes you an enormous debt of gratitude for your life’s work.”

Earlier this month Mayor Tony Williams said Tom, as Botanic Gardens Curator and Parks Director and a former councillor, was a passionate horticulturist who dedicated his life to creating many of the green spaces we enjoy and treasure today.”

His visionary leadership transformed the former Moores Creek Road landfill into the beloved Kershaw Gardens, a testament to his commitment to creating vibrant spaces for the whole community to enjoy,” he said.

”His legacy is evident everywhere, and Tom’s determination has ensured future generations can enjoy our beautiful spaces for years to come.”

He was also a Livingstone Shire councillor (2012-2020) and had a gardening talkback show on ABC radio for 40 years. His service was followed by a private burial in the Rockhampton Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Nerimbera.

Originally published as Legendary gardener Tom Wyatt remembered for changing the face of Rockhampton