text: July 21, 2014 | Posted in: Achievements
  Hans Mincham died on 10th May 2007, aged 95. His obituary in The Advertiser on 23rd June 2007 described Hans as an educator, naturalist, writer, historian, conservationist & musician. He was appointed the SA Museum's first information officer in 1964. He held that position for 12 years. He received many awards during his life, including the Order of Australia (AM*) in 1988.
  * (Member of the Order of Australia, which is awarded for service in a particular locality or field of activity or to a particular group.)
  In order to put more of a marine life slant in these details, I can say that Hans wrote his first of many letters to the press on conservation issues pleading for the whales whilst he was still a teenager. He also wrote many books, including one on the Coorong (pictured above, taken by David Mariuz).
  Many of the above details were gleaned from the 23rd June obituary for Hans in The Advertiser. I was quite surprised to find the obituary on PIRSA's website. The obituary included this image of Hans: –
  "The Story of the Flinders Ranges" by Hans Mincham was one of the references for my 1999 Journal article "Marine Fossils in the Flinders Ranges". In the article itself, I wrote "According to Hans Mincham in his book "The Story of the Flinders Ranges" the Archaeo "produced a beautiful framework which took the form of an outer cup united to an inner one with a fine radial rafterwork, the walls of both being shot through with holes that, it seems, allowed sea-water to circulate through them. Of the many species, most, resembling an icecream cone in shape, grew up from the sea-floor on slender stems."
  Jan Forsytg
  Hello. Am interested in purchasing Hans Mincham's book The Story of Flinders Ranges please. Is it available? Thank you Jan Forsyth
  Hi Jan, My copy came from a library back then. There seems to be no shortage of the book online when searching for "Hans Mincham"+"The Story of the Flinders Ranges". Other than that, we suggest trying at the SA Museum shop in North Tce, Adelaide. Good luck.