Community & Business
4 February, 2026
Waterfall name to honour Dawn
TABLELANDS Mayor Rod Marti has sent a letter of support to a State Government department to back a proposal to name a waterfall near Topaz, “Frith Falls”.
The letter was in support of a request by Dr Cliff Frith PhD, OAM, who is seeking to name a permanent waterfall located on his property after his wife, Dawn, who passed away last year.
Dr Frith initially applied to have a creek on the property formally named, however, the Place Names Team within the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing, and Regional and Rural Development advised that while the creek could not be considered, they were willing to consider the naming of a permanent waterfall situated within the registered Wildlife Sanctuary reserve.
The proposed name is “Frith Falls”, intended to honour the late Dr Dawn Whyatt Frith PhD, OAM.
Dr Frith has advised that the name has been unanimously supported by family members, colleagues, and members of the scientific community, as it reflected the long-standing professional identity and joint contributions of both Dawn and Cliff Frith.
Dr Dawn Frith was an internationally respected ornithologist, ecologist, and natural historian who lived and worked on the property for more than 30 years.
Over a career spanning four decades, she made an exceptional contribution to the understanding and conservation of the Australian Wet Tropics and the Atherton Biogeographical Region.
Dr Frith authored or co-authored 86 peer-reviewed scientific papers and several highly regarded natural history books, many of which focused on Far North Queensland ecosystems and wildlife.
In recognition of her work, Dr Frith received numerous prestigious honours, including the Dominic L. Serventy Medal from BirdLife Australia, the Cassowary Award from the Wet Tropics Management Authority, and the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2021 for services to conservation and the environment.
She was widely regarded as a valued and respected member of the Tablelands community and maintained strong connections with the region throughout her life.
