It is with deep regret and sadness that we advise of the passing of Esme Whitby.
Many supporters of Redlands2030 will have met and known Esme (or “Es”) as an indefatigable opponent of plans for destruction of the wetlands next to Toondah Harbour.
Esme was a great servant to the people of Cleveland over many years, through her work with the Cleveland CWA, Probus and Meals on Wheels.
Esme’s passion for the local community and the local environment came to a head when she and her husband Maurice joined the team that opposed and defeated the first attempt to destroy wetlands next to Toondah Harbour, back in the 1980s.
The 1980s proposal by Brisbane Shores Pty Ltd was for a massive canal estate development on 130 hectares of wetlands pushing two kilomentres out into Moreton Bay.
Esme and other members of the STIR committee collected 12,000 signatures on a petition opposing the Brisbane Shores proposal. These signatures were collected on sheets of paper as electronic petitions did not exist back in the 1980s.
Esme felt strongly that the current proposal for 3,600 apartments next to Toondah Harbour should go the same way as the Brisbane Shores proposal.
The Youtube video (above) was one of her many contributions to the recent Toondah campaign. In this case she talks to a young film maker about the 1980s community action which resulted in the Brisbane Shores proposal being “squashed” by the National Party State Government.
Esme’s support for her community, her commitment to the Save Toondah cause, and her example to younger people are greatly appreciated by Redlands2030.
Esme was a lovely lady who will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Esme is the beloved Wife of Maurice (dec). Much loved Mother and Mother-in-law of Roslyn and Robin Franklin, John and Trish Whitby, Kay Whitby and Ken Godbold, and Jill and Mal McKercher. She will be sadly missed by her 12 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time.
Rest in peace, Esme.
Steve MacDonald
President – Redlands2030
Redlands2030 – 10 July 2021
Please note: Offensive or off-topic comments will be deleted. If offended by any published comment please email thereporter@redlands2030.net
4 Comments
We were privileged to attend the Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Esme. Her family spoke about her love for them, her dedication to her church and her passion for community involvement. Esme passed on to her family a love of the environment that was expressed in their commitment to continue the support
Esme gave to the efforts of Redlands2030 in protecting the Toondah Harbour wetlands from inappropriate residential development. Esme has left a legacy for us all to aspire to.
I met Esme two years ago when she was 91.
Esme was a delightful person. Adjectives multiply: kindly, humorous, spirited, persistent, EXTREMELY switched on.
I am the grandfather of the “young film maker” who conducted the interview on this web page and which I filmed. This was in 2019.
Over 40 years, she has been a relentless campaigner for COMMUNITY interests versus DAMAGING (greedy?) development of a place where, normally, people trickle in attracted by the peace and beauty of the Redlands, and are welcomed for their respect.
Over 40 years, Esme fought hard and effectively for the conservation of this special place, threatened more recently by the overwhelming prospect of 3,600 apartments in at least 60 high-rise buildings. Not just on waste land but on the waters of the Bay itself and occluding sea views from parks and the Grandview, the most historic and one of the most loved pubs in Queensland.
No wonder she fought so hard.
Goodbye Esme and thank you for what you stood up for.
With my condolences to her family, John
Vale Esme Whitby (1928 – 2021).
She will be sadly missed.
Whitby was a strong advocate for protecting Toondah with both STIR and Redlands 2030 since the mid – late 1980s. She will be sadly missed by all opposed to the Toondah debacle but mostly by her family.
RIP Esme
Esme would not have known me but I did see her and spoke to her at a couple of the Toondah functions including the first one.
See ing her determination to stay with the fight was impressive. Too bad we dont have more Esme’s.
Today though, my condolences too are with her family.
Dave