Romeo Watkins Lahey[2] was born 2 June 1887[3]inPimpama, Queensland, Australia.[4][5] His father was David Lahey, an Irish-born farmer and timber miller, and his mother was Jane Jemima (née Walmsley), a homemaker.[6] Lahey was one of twelve children, with three sisters and eight brothers: Frances Vida Lahey, Noel Alaric Lahey and Percival Ethelburt Lahey, Oswald Lahey, Jerome Lahey Jayne Lahey, Mavis Denholme (nee Lahey)[7]
A keen explorer, Lahey enjoyed roaming the forests with his spare time. His father, David Lahey, also one of Tamborine Shire Council's councillors, inspired Lahey to be a conservationist.[8] He had exhibited a high degree of conservationism from a young age. Recognising the value in preserving the forests, he tirelessly campaigned, which resulted in the establishment of Lamington National Park in July 1915.[4][10][11][12]
In April 1930, Lahey founded the National Parks Association of Queensland (NPAQ), where he served as president till his death in 1968.[6] Lahey, NPAQ secretary[13]Arthur Groom and a few supporters of theirs are credited for founding Queensland Holiday Resorts Limited and establishing Binna Burra Mountain Lodge, located next to Lamington National Park.[8]
InWorld War I, he enlisted in the army, serving with the 3rd Divisional Engineers, initially attaining the rank of second lieutenant. He was promoted to lieutenant in January 1917.[7] Lahey served on ship A29 HMAT Suevic.[14] During World War II, Lahey served again in the army, ranking as a major.[6]
In 1919, after returning to Australia, Romeo Watkins Lahey married Sybil Delpratt, the youngest daughter of JH Delpratt, in St John's Cathedral, Brisbane. They had three children: David, Alison and Ann.[8]
^Shirley Lahey (1999). A Pioneer Conservationist Romeo Watkins Lahey MBE, ME (1887–1968): Talk Given to the Lamington Natural History Association Incorporated at the Environmental Study Centre, Binna Burra, on 13th March 1999.
^Arthur Groom (1951). One Mountain After Another. Sydney: Angus and Robertson. p. 73.
