Dive industry grieves loss of tourism leader
scuba diving world lost a “true stalwart” with the recent death of industry pioneer Max Benjamin.
Mr Benjamin, 72, died in Cairns Hospital last month after a battle with cancer and was farewelled via a livestream funeral at Cairns Colonial Club that was seen globally.
He is survived by his wife Cecilie, children Cheyne, Charmaine and Auvita and their families.
At the news of his death, Cairns Nautlilus Scuba Club president Jannemieke Hanhart posted on social media that Mr Benjamin “was a true stalwart of the dive industry in Papua New Guinea and Australia”.
Max and Cecilie’s work as agricultural officers for the PNG Department of Agriculture Stock and Fisheries took them to the Walindi Plantation in 1969, where they worked to transition a defunct cocoa operation into the new national cash crop, palm oil.
It was in 1975 that the couple fell in love with scuba diving and in 1983 began a resort at Walindi on Kimbe Bay, in New Britain.
For nearly 40 years, Mr Benjamin worked tirelessly in the cause of PNG tourism and ocean conservation.
Walindi Resort management broke the news of Mr
Benjamin’s death to his supporters worldwide.
“Even though he is gone, his family and his extended family of staff and the local community will ensure his legacy lives on,” a resort tribute on Facebook stated.
“He has left behind a strong team that he mentored closely every day who are so proud of what he achieved in this little slice of paradise that he loves so much — Kimbe Bay.”
The funeral heard messages of grief and support from across the globe.
National Geographic photographer David Doubilet said Mr Benjamin fostered “instant trust” at their first meeting.
“Thank you for being so authentic,” Mr Doubilet wrote.
Douglas Siefert of the UK’s Dive Magazine said Mr Benjamin “was remarkable”.
“His influence encircled the globe like a warm bear hug,” Mr Siefert’s tribute read. “You left the party too soon.”
The outpouring of sorrow continued on social media.
“Planet Earth has lost a true friend and as divers a real friend,” Dave Moran of Dive Magazine New Zealand wrote.
Mr Benjamin’s son and general manager of Walindi Resort, Cheyne Benjamin, said his father had “lived an incredible life”. “You did incredible things, your legacy will always be remembered, you impacted so many lives for the better,” he said. “We will miss you, Dad.”