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Four Generations return to a special place

It was a historic day as four generations of the Lone Family visited Low Isles to remember the past and celebrate their family’s history on this beautiful Great Barrier Reef island.

Aged from 86 years to infants, the highlight of the Lone family’s recent Mossman reunion was sailing on Quicksilver’s Wavedancer to Low Isles, where family patriarch Ernie Lone retired as head lighthouse keeper in 1985.

Image Gallery

  • Lone Family Today
  • John Lone with his Sisters and Mother - 1960
  • Low Isles Lighthouse - 1960
  • John Lone with his sister and Father - 1960
  • Lone Family - 1960

Ernie Lone, now 86, was one of Australia’s longest serving lighthouse keepers having served continuously on various Queensland lighthouses from 1956 until his retirement in 1985.

Speaking of his father, John Lone said, “Dad first served on Low Isles in 1960 and again as head light keeper from 1967 until his retirement from the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service in 1985. During this time he was awarded the OAM for his service to the lighthouse service whilst serving on Low Isles. In the late 1970s in his position as head light keeper he was instrumental in the granting of approval for Jim and Jo Wallace to commence a tour operation from Port Douglas to Low Isles with the “M.V. Martin Cash” which later led to the Quicksilver catamaran operation. In those days all visitors to the island required the specific permission of the head light keeper. My sister and I also lived on Low Isles in 1960 and did our schooling there by correspondence.”

Tony Baker, Quicksilver Group Managing Director said “What a wonderful story about this family’s history and connection with the idyllic coral cay of Low Isles. This was Quicksilver’s first destination in 1979 and we look forward to welcoming the Lone family back to a special place they called home for many years.”

Ernie Lone returned to Low Isles many times with his children and in later years the children returned with their children. Ernie Lone last visited Low Isles in 2000 when he and his late wife were invited to officially open the island’s Heritage Walk.

The landmark lighthouse has greeted guests since 1878 and became automated in 1993. Low Isles and its historic lighthouse have both been declared Commonwealth Heritage listed.