Colourful character remembered

land Melanesia, Green Island), Vince Vlasoff (crocodile hunter and Green Island underwater observatory) and Harry Freeman (Wild World Zoo).

“He’ll be missed, but the legend of Gary Zillfleisch will live on and his legacy as well.”

Mossman-born, Gary went to St Augustine’s College in Cairns, studied pharmacy then joined his father’s construction and hardware business.

But life changed dramatically in 1961 when the owners of Hartley’s Creek defaulted on the payment of a new kiosk being built by Gary’s father.

Unable to pay, they offered the property instead.

It was an unlikely start in tourism for Gary and wife Bev.

“There was no one to look after the animals and run it, so we stepped up to mark and did it,” Bev says. “Neither of us had much to do with animals.

“Our eldest son Michael was about six months old when we went and lived there.

“Gary did a lot of research into animals. There weren’t many there when we arrived, probably half a dozen crocodiles, two emus, two cassowaries, half a dozen rabbits and a couple of flying foxes.

“We branched out into birds, mammals, reptiles. We got to know people who had expertise and learnt from them. There was a lot of trial and error. It was a 24/7 job.”

Among the star attractions was Charlie, the world’s longest captive crocodile, who was visited by his royal namesake, a young Prince Charles.

“Syd Williams brought him out and he was very interested in conservation even then.

“We met so many interesting people. Academics, governor-generals, prime ministers. They always came to look at the wildlife.”

Cairns tourism was in its infancy when they took over.

“I used to do a brochure run in Cairns and there were three motels — one in Mulgrave Rd and two others in Sheridan St.”

After selling to the Freeman family in 1986, Gary and Bev launched a tour business and followed their passion for bowls and art. Gary is survived by three children and seven grandchildren.