Harold Frith

Who was Harold Frith?

Harold James Frith AO was an Australian administrator and ornithologist. He was born at Kyogle, New South Wales and studied Agricultural Science at Sydney University. He first joined the CSIRO Division of Plant Industry but later transferred to the Division of Wildlife and carried out extensive research on Malleefowl, waterfowl, especially Magpie Geese, and pigeons. He eventually became Chief of the Division and was instrumental in proposals that led to the establishment of Kakadu National Park.

Harrold Frith was a member of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, and prominent among those pressing for reform of the organisation in the late 1960s. He was Secretary-General of the 16th International Ornithological Congress which was held in Canberra in 1974. He was elected a Fellow of the RAOU in 1974. He was an Officer of the Order of Australia.

As well as published scientific papers and technical reports, books he authored or edited include:

Frith, H.J.. The Mallee-Fowl. The bird that builds an incubator. Angus & Robertson: Sydney.

Frith, H.J.; & Calaby, J.H.. Kangaroos. Cheshire: Melbourne.

Frith, H.J.. Wildlife Conservation. Australian Natural Science Library.