March 23, 2021
Decades of work have culminated in a unique publication documenting an often overlooked part of the Bunya Mountains’ landscape … fungi.
Retired university lecturer Mary Mahoney has joined together with keen photographer Ken Chapman to document more than 200 fungi found on the mountains.
Ken has been photographing nature for more than 50 years – including 40 years capturing the colourful and unique fungi of the Bunyas.
Mary has spent decades working in education, both in schools and universities, with a particular focus on the world of science.
Their 258-page book, “A Snapshot Of Bunya Mountains Fungi”, includes more than 500 photographs of the various fungi, including some examples that are yet to be scientifically described.
Most have been photographed on private properties or in Russell Park.
Mary and her husband live at Buderim while Ken and his wife live at Gympie, but both couples also have homes on the Bunyas.
The friends met in the 1990s when Ken put on a slide night on the mountains which piqued Mary’s interest in fungi.
“It was the beginning of a passionate interest in this strange new world!” she said.
Mary told southburnett.com.au that gathering together the information to accompany Ken’s photos, and preparing the negatives, took almost six years.
As well as providing a database of Bunya Mountains fungi, the book also includes information about the photographic techniques and settings used to capture the photos.
The book has a limited print run of just 250.
Copies can be purchased from the Bunya Mountains Accommodation Office, the Bunya Mountains General Store and the Dalby Visitor Information Centre.
They can also be purchased directly from Mary. For more information, contact her by email
