A new book entitled 'A Taste of the Low Isles' is being launched on Thursday 9th May at The Central Hotel by The Low Isles Preservation society.

This book, as the title suggests, encompasses interesting information about the amazing Low Isles and has the splendid addition of 34 tasty recipes, wonderfully presented, covering entrees, main meals through desserts to cakes and biscuits, all supplied by the members of The Low Isles Preservation Society (LIPS).

The book has taken many months to bring to fruition and has been produced by LIPS volunteers who have given their time free of charge.  Nancy and Keith Bevington presented the comprehensive concept, which was originally just going to be a cookbook, to the LIPS AGM back in September last year as a fund raising concept.

Since then they have worked tirelessly on the book, designing, copywriting, choosing the recipes, preparing the food, retouching editing and production. Louise Orchard, the LIPS Secretary has co-ordinated all the information and photography and keenly assisted in the food preparation and styling.

There are also many others credited in the acknowledgements with the supply of information and photography, without whose help this amazing project would not have been possible.  For example, Kate Agrum who gave time in between looking after her family to photograph the food.

The book has been produced by LIPS volunteers to further enhance and support the good spirit and relationship that exists between the society and the Australian authorities involved in caring for the Low Isles, the tourism operators who visit the Low Isles and the local community, in the quest to help maintain this special part of the world.

The book has an innovative twist being tailored to enable four pages of advertorial to be inserted for tour operators so it can be sold by them as a customized marketing tool.

The book makes the perfect souvenir as a coffee table book, gift book, recipe book or perhaps just a wonderful memory of this part of paradise to share with family and friends. By purchasing the book consumers are making a contribution to the ongoing upkeep of this very special place.

The Low Isles
The beautiful Low Isles, formed about 5000 years ago, are composed of a small coral cay (Low Island) and a larger, mangrove island (Woody Island) growing on top of senile coral reef.

The Low Isles have wonderful flora and fauna and are surrounded by amazing hard and soft corals with beautiful marine life including around 300 sea turtles.

 The islands have been noted many times in history, first by Captain James Cook in 1770, officially being named in 1819 and the lighthouse being built there in 1878. Low Isles was the base of the first major international research of the Great Barrier Reef in 1928 -29 and after 115 years of various resident keepers, in 1993 the lighthouse was automated.

In 2008 proudly, Low Isles was added to the Commonwealth Heritage List. Through careful management and the sun the Low Isles are carbon neutral.

The Low Isles are very important to our region and have provided a wonderful destination for tourism over many decades. They are also important to Australia, not only as the lighthouse helps guide shipping in this very important ecological area and daily weather reports are provided to the Bureau of Meteorology but also enabling studies to continue to further our knowledge and enhance our ability to maintain this part of the world in pristine condition.

Low Isles Preservation Society
In 1992, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority announced it was removing its lighthouse keepers from the Low Isles and automating the lighthouse.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, to whom the title would be transferred, were unsure about the future of Low Isles, as they were under-funded. As a result, an enthusiastic and caring Port Douglas community formed LIPS to assist in preserving the Low Isles and its marine environment and also to develop programs designed to research, interpret and protect coral reefs at a community level.

A training program in partnership with Queensland Park and Wildlife Service was instituted and trained LIPS volunteers still man the island today during the leave periods of the full time resident caretakers and take part in ongoing research projects and also ensure that visitors observe the recreational guide to visiting the Low Isles.

LIPS are currently working on a number of projects and the membership fees and other sources of income provide much needed funds to continue the good work. The income received by LIPS from the sale of ‘A taste of the Low Isles’ book, after recovering the printing costs, will go directly into projects to help ensure that the pristine Low Isles will be here for future generations.

In fact the collection of historical artefacts and interesting items displayed on the Island at present are, to be used as the mainstay of a museum that is being planned to be on the Low Isles to create further tourist interest.

For further details contact Louise Orchard on 0400 332 903 or email loula_d@bigpond.com.