Arabic version: عودة القيّمين إلى جزر لو بعد 18 عاماً
According to ABC News, Steve Sharpe and Louise Collier have returned as caretakers of Low Isles, the Great Barrier Reef coral sand cay they called home during the 2000s. Their 21-year-old son Tom, who spent the first four years of his life on the island, has joined them for part of the new stint.
Low Isles lies 15 kilometres offshore from Port Douglas and is the only island with live-in caretakers in the Great Barrier Reef’s joint field management program. The work includes maintaining grounds, buildings and water systems, monitoring unauthorised boat arrivals, and engaging with about 50,000 tourists who visit annually.
The couple first arrived as volunteers in July 2003 before winning a tender to continue as paid caretakers two years later. They left in December 2008 because of family circumstances, but Ms Collier said they felt they had “unfinished business” on the island. Their current term is for two years, and they hope it can be extended.
Their return comes with major changes to island life. A solar energy system has replaced the need to bring 200 litres of fuel by boat each month, while high-speed satellite internet has taken the place of a dial-up connection using a VHF antenna. The couple also say vegetation is much denser than during a particularly dry period in their first stint.
