Harry Burrell’s Platypusary Memorial Project

197 Manilla Street, Manilla NSW 2346

(02) 6785 1207

Manilla Museum website

In 1901, Manilla store-keeper and amateur naturalist Harry Burrell began unlocking the secrets of the platypus.

After several decades of intensive research along the Manilla, Namoi and Macdonald Rivers, he published his findings to world-wide acclaim in his book “The Platypus”, in 1927.

In 1937, Burrell was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his contribution to the world’s understanding of animal anatomy.

Manilla Museum holds copies of Mr. Burrell’s correspondence with his peers, contributed to the Manilla Archives by the American Museum of Natural History, as part of the Harry Burrell Memorial Project.

The Harry Burrell Memorial Project was initiated by Manilla Historical Society (MHS), researched by David Ridgewell and brought to completion by the efforts of MHS volunteers and many community members.

The memorial was unveiled by Mr. Noel Park M.P. on 12 October 1991.

More information is available from the National Library of Australia, Monument Australia and Wikipedia.