“The Lagoons” before it was known as Lake Alford or the Duckponds. Photograph source: Joyce Alford, 1975.

Lake Alford, also known by many as the Gympie Duckponds is a popular spot for local families and tourists alike to stop for a moment of serenity and enjoy the beautiful array of wildlife. Did you know, however, that the idea behind the duckponds all started with one man who lovingly cared for the environment and wildlife in the area?

It all started with a man by the name of Frank ‘Tiny’ Alford, who lived at 2 Imbil Road, Gympie. He started looking after ‘the lagoons’ area (which we now know as the duckponds) in 1975. He mowed the western side of ‘the lagoons’ and cared for the birdlife on the water course. He collected eggs for breeding wildlife, in order to stock the area, while simultaneously caring for young birds (Edmiston, 2017).

To begin with, the rush-filled lagoons held very little water. Frank’s wife, Joyce, said that her brother used to catch tadpoles in puddles as he walked across to school from 1969 onwards.

In 1975, after the council excavated the lagoons to make substantial ponds, Frank continued to look after the area (Edmiston, 2017).

The duckponds under construction in the 1970s. Photograph source: Joyce Alford, 1975.

Things did not always go smoothly. During drought conditions in 1977, water was pumped from the Mary River to keep the bird sanctuary functioning. In 1978, a mysterious poisoning event took place, which Frank thought may have been blue ‘fungus’.

Frank was paid $30 a week and, until 1976, used a push mower to mow the area.

In his time as caretaker, he also wore out three ride-on mowers. He completed his last official mow on February 10, 1981, after many years of caring for the grounds. Following this, however, he still continued to look after the wildlife (Edmiston, 2017).

The lagoons, or ‘duckponds’, were named Lake Alford after him on October 16, 1980.

A tree-planting ceremony in 1982 (Year of the Tree) honoured Frank Alford among others. For the occasion, Frank’s widow Joyce was invited to plant a melaleuca in the south-west corner of the parklands. Frank sadly died in April 1982, just a month before the tree-planting ceremony (Edmiston, 2017).

Frank’s legacy lives on through the duckponds and serves as a reminder to us all about the value of taking care of the environment, the animals, and our local community.

Sundowner magazine article about Frank ‘Tiny’ Alford from September 1980.

Guest blog by volunteer Robyn
(Thank you to Robyn who researched and collated information for this blog post).

References:

• Alford, J. (2017). Interviewed by Wendy Edmiston, Gympie.
• Edmiston, W. (1980). ‘He’s the keeper of the lagoons’. Sundowner Magazine. September 1980, p.17.