Wow that is a big surprise. What a loss. I always thought Ross looked like an extremely healthy fellow (so that is my surprise) and always so nice and helpful
and easy to get along with. Always appeared so straightforward and genuine. I would “run into him” at random, over the years, at local shops or at the school fete on Boddington crescent, as I have lived in Kambah over the same years. Though I recall having
visited him at his house on Arawang at least once a long time ago. I did not know that he was from Box Hill in Melbourne, which is where I had some of my high school and university years. I talked to him most recently this year or last year and he was always
worth talking to. Stopping for a chat would always improve my day to do so. He told me at various times about the situation he got into fighting and only just surviving the fire on his property at Arawang in January 2003. A really dangerous situation that
he managed to handle bravely, inasmuch as I could tell. Ross and his book would be the go-to source for reptile information but he also had a wide background. Ross explained to me what had likely happened on the day I was bitten by a brown snake at Lake Coolmunda
in inland Queensland (on the day Princess Diana died). The snake got such a fright when I stepped on it, not having seen it. Actually I was saved by that the snake’s fangs went into the padding on my shoe as I was at the high point of my jump).
Philip Veerman
Kambah ACT 2902
From: Canberrabirds [
On Behalf Of Michael Lenz via Canberrabirds
Sent: Monday, 26 December, 2022 2:31 PM
To: chatline
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Vale Ross Bennett
Many COG members will remember Ross Bennett, founder of the Australian Reptile Centre Canberra at Gold Creek, and author of the book “Reptiles
and frogs of the Australian Capital Territory".
An obituary has appeared in 'Riotact' (see attached).
