Enid Lucy Robertson

Enid Lucy Robertson (20 November 1925 - 10 July 2016) was a systematic botanist, curator of herbaria, and conservationist from South Australia. In the 1970s, she developed a new and innovative way to manage reserves, writing the Watiparinga Reserve Management Plan, which subsequently became the model used for other small to medium reserves in urban areas. For this she was awarded a Heritage Award by the Australian Governor General in 1986. Robertson was made a member of the order of Australia in 1987 for her services to botany.

Early life Robertson was born Enid Lucy Ashby on the 20 November 1925 to parents (Arthur) Keith Ashby (1896-1971) and Edith Mary Walker in Unley, South Australia. Robertson, and her extended Ashby family, were members of the Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers. Robertson stated she was very close with her extended family, when she was growing up she lived across the street from her grandparents and her aunt. had died aged 40, her father offered to renovate the Allambee house she grew up in for her and her children to live in. She lived in that house for much of her life.

Career Early career In 1947, Robertson took on two positions at the University of Adelaide, as a systematic botanist at the Waite Agricultural Research Institute, and as a lecturer in the medical school on microscopic anatomy and human histology. Robertson was a member of the board until 1980.

Published works