Harris, Wayne Kinglsey   (1939 - 2020)

Born on the 11 October 1939 in Adelaide, SA; died on the 21 November 2020 on the Sunshine Coast, QLD (aged 81).

He was the eldest child of Francis and Marjorie Harris.

His inquisitive mind led him to pursue a career in science, with geology and botany being his primary occupation for many years, before branching out into other specialties including his greatest love, orchids.

Wayne was elected as a committee member of the Native Orchid Society of South Australia for a year on 26 April 1983 and secretary on 27 March 1984, a position he held for three years until 24 March 1987.

Wayne and his wife Jean moved to Toowoomba where Wayne lectured in geology for five years. He then retrained, enrolling in a doctorate course in botany.

Due to his work at the Queensland Herbarium, Mt Coot-tha, Wayne and family moved from Toowoomba to The Gap (Brisbane) in the early 1990's.

Wayne co-authored (with Bill Lavarack and Geoff Stocker) the book, 'Dendrobium and its Relatives', featuring many of his magnificent photographs taken over many years of field experiences in many parts of the world, especially Papua New Guinea and Borneo.

He specialised in growing Bulbophyllum, Dendrobium and Asian species.

While in South Australia Wayne volunteered for the St John Ambulance. He was Superintendent for Unley station for eight years. His service was recognised with the awarding of the Service Medal of the Order of St John. This Service Medal is awarded to recognise both conspicuous and long service with the Venerable Order of St John and particularly in the St John Ambulance.

Source: Extracted from:
https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wayne_K._Harris
https://kiki.huh.harvard.edu/databases/botanist_search.php?mode=details&id%5B%5D=50441&display.x=77&display.y=12
https://australianorchidfoundation.org.au/wayne-k-harris/
Portrait Photo: Tanya Easterby May 23, 2013, Courier Mail & Gympie Times.

Collecting localities for 'Harris, W.K.' from AVH (2025)

Data from 537 specimens