Ross Fargher is a cattle rancher. He and his wife, Jane, have nearly 1000 square kilometers of property to the west of the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, just south of Ediacara proper. The land is varied and spectacular such that movies like Rabbit Proof Fence, Tracks, and The Rover have been filmed on their property. It is also home to one of the most fantastic and important fossil localities in the world—which Ross discovered.

Over 15 years ago, Jim Gehling and I stood on Ross’s veranda at Nilpena Station and, while Ross played with a red back spiderwith the toe of his boot, we asked if we might work on the fossils exposed on his property. Since then, nearly 40 fossiliferous beds have been excavated exposing tens of thousands of fossils. Many theses and dissertations have been produced and a patch of the Fargher property has become an extraordinary locality for Ediacara fossils and one of the best localities for fossils of any age in the world. It is now a National Heritage site. All of this is because of Ross Fargher and not because he granted permission. It is all that he has done since that day—his unyielding dedication to all aspects the overall project.

For example, the localities are not on previous roads or tracks and many are on hillsides. Ross pulled out his tracker and made us “roads.” Some of the beds that we wanted to excavate are under a great deal of overburden. Ross gets his digger and helps to remove overlying soil.

He also provided his ATV so that we can bring out very large rocks with fossils preserved in 3-D that could not be otherwise transported. He provides workspace and storage space for specimens and equipment. He helps look for more localities. He anticipates issues and helps to solve them. There is a debate in my group wondering how many paleontologists does it take to equal one Ross Fargher—and basically we run about six or seven—on a good day for us!

The preservation and conservation of these fossils is extremely tricky. There is the short-term issue—keeping people off the property—and there is the long-term issue—what do we need 20 years from now? Ross has been engaged in both aspects. He is diligent at keeping people at bay.

Ross, with his wife, Jane, are working tirelessly with the government to find a long-term solution to the preservation and conservation of the property. They are now involved in the very time consuming process of going for a world heritage site. All of this takes a huge amount of time and especially patience. I cannot believe how fortunate we are to have the Fargher’s own Nilpena. Most people would not have even allowed us to excavate, much less help facilitate field work at every turn and then protect the locality and work to preserve it for the future with enthusiasm.

From a personal perspective—my kids have come with me since they were babies as Nigel has been in Asia. Nilpena is their summer home. This type of thing takes a village and I have long had an entourage of help, but Ross and Jane have been a big part of this. From when they were little and got ear tags just like the cattle to make them feel special, or more recently when Ross magically rescued them from a backpacking trip in the Flinders when an unexpected storm hit. They have always helped to make every one of my son’s birthdays special when he is so far from friends and home. He is very much looking forward to enjoying his 18th birthday there at the iconic outback Prairie Hotel owned by Jane and Ross, which also embraces the Ediacara heritage of the area.

Ross is not a typical Strimple nominee. Ross is unique. His dedication over the last 15 years is breathtaking. He gives of himself and his time generously and with great humor. Ross is an advocate and ambassador for paleontology. Last week, he brought Bill Nye out to the site.

He is determined that these fossils be preserved and conserved for generations to come. How lucky we are! Members of the Society, it is my privilege and pleasure to present to you this year’s Strimple awardee, Ross Fargher.

October 22, 2017