Francis Octavius Nixon (1883-1955)

Born Brisbane, Queensland on 5th November 1883, (Qld BDM No.1883/003998)
Died Brisbane on 2nd October 1955, (Qld BDM No.1955/B010189).

Mr Francis Octavius Nixon, who resided at Sherwood, Brisbane and was one of the movers behind the establishment of Sherwood Forest Park and Arboretum and the Sir Matthew Nathan Avenue of 72 trees of the species Agathis robusta and these were planted on Saturday 21st March 1925 by Sir Matthew Nathan and Archbishop Duhig as well as other prominent Citizens of Brisbane. After the planting they all retired to Francis Nixon`s Home for refreshments.

Mr Francis Nixon was the President of The Brisbane Naturalist Club and was involved in the formation of 'Save the Trees' Campaign and had planted a row of Agathis robusta in Jerrold St Sherwood (large trees in 2005). In 1917 he was Secretary of the Brisbane Timber Merchants Association.

Mr Francis Octavius Nixon also planted a variety of native trees around the Sherwood Arboretum Area and it is a pleasure to see rare Queensland trees growing there since 1925.

The Brisbane City Council have named Nixon Park, Corinda, after him which have large Araucaria cunninghamii and Eucalyptus tereticornus trees growing there.

(Obituary is in "The Brisbane Telegraph", Monday, October 3rd, 1955, Page 16.)

Source: Pers.Comm.: Noel Hall, Botanic Gardens Researcher, 2005.