In this video friends and family talk about their memories of Stan Kelly. They recollect Stan’s character traits and reflect on his work as a keen naturalist and a gifted artist.

Stan Kelly O.A.M. (1911 – 2001) was known in the Ararat region as an engine driver with a passion for the bush, and painting plants and flowers. In the wider world, Kelly was recognised as one of Australia’s premier botanical illustrators, especially respected for his published works on eucalypts.

Kelly's first book, Australian Eucalypts in Colour, was published in 1949, followed by his most celebrated work, Eucalypts Volumes I & II, first published in 1969, which became a core reference for students of Australian botany.

In 2009, a selection of Kelly’s botanical illustrations was adapted for the ‘N’ series Australian passport.

This photograph shows Stan Kelly pictured with his two quite disparate passions: eucalypts and trains.

What began as a hobby for Stan Kelly in 1945 developed into a quest to paint the entire genus of Eucalyptus. Kelly spent the next 32 years travelling around large areas of Australia collecting specimens. He painted 508 species and, whilst more have since been discovered, even by today’s standards this is a major botanical achievement. His work is published in two volumes titled Eucalypts (1971, 1978).

Stan Kelly usually worked on his paintings at home on a small table.

All Kelly’s illustrations were watercolours, and the compositions were produced in a consistent portrait format which translated well for publication. Each work portrays all identifying aspects of the species. Of particular importance are the bud characteristics such as colour, shape, and cluster configuration. He also included mature fruiting bodies with identifying details such as number and pattern of valves.

Stan Kelly in later life.

This Eucalyptus Occidentalis (Swamp Yate) was painted by Stan Kelly to allow clear identification of the species by showing the stem, bud, leaf and flower.

Kelly developed a keen sense of colour and ability to define the unique differences between his subject matter to a level required for scientific identification. He created many hues and shades of green in order to capture the diversity of this genus.

This flowering eucalypt was painted by Stan Kelly to allow clear identification of the species by showing the stem, bud, leaf and flower.

Colour photography in the 1960s was limited in this capacity and Kelly’s paintings provided valuable reference material for many enthusiasts which are still in use today. Given the sheer volume of this project, Kelly’s skill levels increased and his discernment for detail and accuracy grew making him one of the most competent artists and illustrators of his day.

This Eucalyptus Canaliculata (Large Fruited Grey Gum) was painted by Stan Kelly to allow clear identification of the species by showing the stem, bud, leaf and flower.

This Scribbly Gum Eucalyptus Rossi was painted by Stan Kelly to allow clear identification of the species by showing the stem, bud, leaf and flower.

This Heart-leafed Stringybark Eucalyptus camfieldii was painted by Stan Kelly to allow clear identification of the species by showing the stem, bud, leaf and flower.

This Cliff Mallee Ash Eucalyptus cunninghamii was painted by Stan Kelly to allow clear identification of the species by showing the stem, bud, leaf and flower.

In Eucalypts, vol II, Kelly states the eucalypt “is Australia’s greatest asset and finest ambassador throughout the world”. Little did he know that his commitment to this genus would one day be fully recognised with his illustrations reproduced in the pages of the 'N' series Australian passport.

This Cabagge Gum Eucalyptus pauciflora ssp parvifructa was painted by Stan Kelly to allow clear identification of the species by showing the stem, bud, leaf and flower.

This White Stringybark Eucalyptus baxteri was painted by Stan Kelly to allow clear identification of the species by showing the stem, bud, leaf and flower.

Stan Kelly collected this specimen of Eucalyptus camfieldii in 1972 from Hornsby, New South Wales.

Stan Kelly collected this specimen of Eucalyptus cunninghamii in 1972 from Katoomba, New South Wales.

Stan Kelly collected this specimen of Eucalyptus pauciflora ssp parvifructa in 1955 from the summit of Mt William, near Ararat, Victoria.

Stan Kelly collected this specimen of Eucalyptus baxteri in 1954 from the summit of Mt William, Grampians, Victoria.

Stan Kelly did not limit himself to Australian native flora.

This illustration features a flowering branch of a white camellia, native to eastern and southern Asia. It was a popular garden plant in Australia which had enjoyed a resurgence in the 1940s and 1950s.