Умер 94-летний историк и педагог Крис Бинкс, муж экс-мэра Девонпорта Мэри Бинкс

Chris Binks' family used to joke that he was Devonport's answer to Denis Thatcher, but he was much more than a famous woman's husband. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading Denis Thatcher was the businessman spouse of powerhouse British prime minister Margaret Thatcher and was often subjected to jokes, including his own, about his perceived status as the junior partner. The Binks family, including the man himself, would refer to Chris Binks as the Denis Thatcher of his marriage, especially once charming and feisty wife Mary's Devonport City Council career took off and she rose as high deputy mayor, then mayor. Ribbing aside, the contribution of educator and historian Mr Binks, who died on August 8 aged 94, was substantial. His son, Peter, recalled his father as intelligent and thoughtful. Peter Binks said his father was raised in the Blue Mountains and moved as a teenager to Scottsdale, finishing his schooling in Launceston. Chris Binks joined Boag's Brewery as an apprentice, aiming to become a master brewer. "The brewery said, 'Binksy, you probably could do better than this,' " Peter Binks said. Mr Binks took the advice and started a teaching degree in Hobart. He taught at Rose Bay High School and then had the chance to teach English at Devonport High School. Chris and Mary Binks and their growing family moved to Devonport and decided to stay after their house at Fern Tree was destroyed in the cataclysmic 1967 bushfires. Mr Binks later became vice-principal at The Don College. An avid bushwalker who loved the Western Tiers and the Overland Track, he was an early member of the Launceston Walking Club. "Dad retired and mum's career took off," Peter Binks recalled. "He supported her and wrote his books." Mr Binks' first key historical interest was in people, Peter Binks said. His first book was Explorers of Western Tasmania. "He thought they were fascinating people and their stories needed to be told," Peter Binks said. Mr Binks was also deeply interested in the natural world, the land, the wild rivers and mountains, the animals and the geography. He went on to write about Devonport, Bass Strait, West Coast pioneers and then, in Hills of the West Wind, the beauty of the Tasmanian landscape. Peter Binks described his father as "a fairly aloof man" until later years. "His stock was from Yorkshire," Peter Binks said. "They were really rugged Yorkshire folk. "They didn't do emotions." He said he and his father grew very close in more recent times, especially when Mrs Binks was in her last days and after she died in 2018. "We had some great conversations, and I learned a lot about the man I didn't know," Peter Binks said. Former Devonport mayor Geoff Squibb said Mr Binks was an outstanding citizen in many fields, for Devonport and beyond. "He was highly regarded as an educator," Mr Squibb said. "He supported Mary throughout her time on council. "He was always a very interesting person to talk to." Mr Binks was in aged care in Launceston from 2022 until his death. Peter Binks said the public funeral would be at Christ Church Illawarra, an Anglican church outside Longford, at 1pm on September 1. Mr Binks said his father wanted to be buried at an Anglican church and had loved the location. Peter Binks said it was a beautiful church and particularly right because of its view of the Western Tiers. Mrs Binks was Devonport mayor for four years, and also served as deputy mayor. She was the founder of Gran's Van, a soup kitchen service for the hungry and homeless. She and her husband each received a Medal of the Order of Australia.