YOGI RETIRES x TO ISLAND

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28685, 8 September 1958, Page 11

YOGI RETIRES x TO ISLAND

Couple To “Live Wifih Nature’ 9 ■ BRISBANE, September 6. A Yogi and a middle-aged woman have left Cairns, in Northern Queensland, in a 30-foot launch to settle on a small island in the Barrier Reef. They took only meagre provisions, and will live off the vegetation on the island. The Yogi is an Australian, George Fowler, aged 56, a former boat-builder, while the woman prefers to remain anonymous. Fowler, has taken a lease of part of the island; where he will build a bush hut, grow vegetables and generally “live with nature.” “The island we have chosen will be our heaven: we will try to forget white men, and live for love and beauty instead of for money and power,” Fowler said.

The fulfilment of Fowler’s scheme ends two years of battling to get someone to accompany him to his island. He advertised throughout Australian in 1956 for: “Five to seven healthy, intelligent men (maximum age 42) to settle Polynesian island paradise. Present population 350 (300 female). Constructive, sane only required. Suitable vessel available. Some capital required.” Fowler had a few inquirers, who were told they would need about £AIOOO, but no-one was interested to the point of joining him. He modified his planss and decided to forsake the Polynesian paradise for seclusion on the Barrier Reef island. Mr Shanahan in Canada.—Mr Foss Shanahan, the newly-appoint ed High Commissioner for New Zealand, today made his first call on the Prime Minister (Mr John Diefenbaker).—Ottawa, September 5.