George Poynter Heath

George Poynter Heath (19 June 1830 – 26 March 1921) was a Royal Navy captain and the first portmaster of Queensland, Australia. It was under his supervision and administration that the of coast of Queensland, and its numerous river and creeks, were marked for navigation purposes by means of buoys, beacons, and lights.

Early life George Poynter Heath was born at Hanworth, Norfolk, England, on 19 June 1830.

Australian service Heath first visited Australia while serving on , when she was engaged in surveying the south-east coast of Australia and of New Guinea from 1846 to 1850 under Owen Stanley. He also served on , and . He was also employed by the Sydney Hydrographic office in drawing up charts of the Pacific Ocean.

In 1862, Heath was appointed the first portmaster of Queensland.

Heath was an optical expert in the matter of lighthouse work. With the exception of the Cape Moreton lighthouse erected in 1857, Heath selected the sites, and prepared specifications of the appliances required for all lighthouses on the Queensland coast until 1890, when he retired.

In addition to holding the positions of portmaster, he was also a member of the Marine Board, of which he became chairman in 1869. For several years he was a member of the Immigration Board. He retired from the Queensland public service in 1890, being succeeded as portmaster by Captain Almond. He died in South Kensington, London, on 26 March 1921.

Heath Reef in the Shire of Cook was named after him.

Heathfield Estate in East Brisbane is named after him.

Heath Bay in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea was named after him by Sir William MacGregor on 2 March 1890.

A number of buildings associated with him are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register:

Eskgrove, a house he lived in East Brisbane Hanworth, a house he built in East Brisbane Numerous lighthouses he commissioned: Booby Island Light Bustard Head Lightstation Caloundra Lighthouses Cape Capricorn Light Cape Cleveland Light Double Island Point Light Grassy Hill Light Sandy Cape Light Woody Island Light