Lindsay Gardiner’s legacy lives on 40 years after death

A TRAGIC accident in July 1976 claimed the life of 16-year-old Lindsay Gardiner but his legacy is alive in Woodlands 40 years on.

Lindsay was an environmentalist and Hale School student whose passion for tortoises and water birds prompted the naming of Gardiner Island in Jackadder Lake and a commemorative plaque in his honour.

While it is a popular recreation space now, in the 1970s Jackadder Lake was the centre of controversy when the council planned to develop some areas.

Residents opposed large carparks, barbeques and flying foxes as they were concerned about the effect extra people and traffic would have on their privacy and on the lake.

According to City of Stirling archives, the children of Woodlands and Doubleview organised a petition in 1974 to express their opposition to the development, which Lindsay signed when he was 14 years old.

The ages of the children who signed ranged from six to 14 years old.

Stirling records indicate Lindsay was an environmentalist and was passionate about the plight of the native water birds at Jackadder Lake.

While the exact circumstances of his sudden death remain a mystery, Hale School archivist Barbara Johnson provided his obituary, which said he died on July 29 near Joffre Gorge in Wittenoom.

The obituary said he was a “generous and open person who knew the secret of forming warm friendships with whomever he met”.

“In his short life he made a lasting mark on those around him, he taught us something about enjoying life; he taught us something about the wonderful gift of friendship; he taught us how precious life it,” it said.

Lindsay’s funeral service was held at Hale School chapel five days after his death.