David Elliott (palaeontologist)

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox scientist | name = David Elliott | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|OAM}} | image = David-Elliott-The-Jump-Up-2023.jpg | alt = | caption = Elliott in 2023 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|6|6}} | birth_place = Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.<ref name="Burton-Jones">{{cite book |last1=Burton-Joness |first1=Joan |title=Queenslanders all over |date=2009 |publisher=Bond University Press |location=Gold Coast, Queensland |isbn=978-0-9806187-0-9 |page=170,198–199}}</ref> | death_date =  | death_place = | death_cause = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates =  | other_names = | fields = paleontology, farming | workplaces = {{ublist |Australian Age of Dinosaurs}} | patrons = | education = | alma_mater = | thesis_year = | doctoral_advisor = | academic_advisors = | doctoral_students = | notable_students = | known_for = Dinosaurs, palaeotourism | influences = | influenced = | awards = | author_abbrev_bot = | author_abbrev_zoo = | spouse = Judy Elliott | partner =  | children = | signature =  | signature_alt = | website = {{URL|https://www.australianageofdinosaurs.com/}} | footnotes = }}

'''David Anthon Elliott''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|OAM}} (born June 6, 1957) is an Australian palaeontologist and sheep and cattle grazier who co-founded the Australian Age of Dinosaurs in Winton, Queensland, with his wife Judy and currently serves as Executive Chairman.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/06b17184-38af-e811-a962-000d3ad24a0d/people |title=Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission |date=June 25, 2024}}</ref> His significant contributions to the local, national and global communities have been far-reaching, with a profound impact on the field of palaeontology. Through the establishment and development of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History, he has pioneered a new form of tourism known as palaeotourism, attracting new visitors to regional Australia. == Biography == Elliott grew up in Winton, Queensland as the second child of Robert and Noreen Elliott. He was a student at All Souls St Gabriels School in Charters Towers before graduating from Longreach Pastoral College in 1974.<ref name="Burton-Jones">{{cite book |last1=Burton-Joness |first1=Joan |title=Queenslanders all over |date=2009 |publisher=Bond University Press |location=Gold Coast, Queensland |isbn=978-0-9806187-0-9 |page=170,198–199}}</ref> Elliott married his wife Judy in 1986, and the two went on to raise their four children on their large property, Belmont Station, making a living as sheep and cattle graziers.

In 1999, at the age of 42, Elliott discovered the fossilized bone of Australia's largest dinosaur<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dinosaurs.group.uq.edu.au/elliot-australias-largest-dinosaur |title=Elliot, Australia's largest dinosaur |date=June 25, 2024}}</ref> while mustering sheep at Belmont. This significant find, along with subsequent discoveries made with the Queensland Museum, led Elliott and his wife to hold a public meeting on 17 August 2002, to discuss building a dinosaur museum in Winton.

In October 2002, Australian Age of Dinosaurs Incorporated was established as a not-for-profit organization.<ref>Cook, A.G., Bryan, S.E. & Draper, J.J. (2012). Post-orogenic Mesozoic basins and magmatism. Pp 515–575. In Jell, P.A. (ed.). Geology of Queensland. (Geological Survey of Queensland, Brisbane)</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.australianageofdinosaurs.com/page/54/australian-age-of-dinosaurs-our-history#:~:text=In%201999%20while%20mustering%20sheep,area%2095%20million%20years%20ago |title=Our History |date=June 25, 2024}}</ref> For the first seven years, the Museum operated on the Elliotts' property, where they conducted annual dinosaur digs and amassed an incredible collection of Australian dinosaur bones. This operation was eventually relocated in 2009 to donated land on The Jump-Up, a vast mesa near Winton.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/57389 |title=Three new Australian dinosaur species found in Western Queensland |date=July 3, 2009}}</ref> The Museum's growth has been impressive, with various stages of construction leading to the completion of crucial infrastructure.

== Contributions to palaeontology == Over the last two decades, Elliott has been involved in the discovery of several new species of Australian prehistoric animals and has collected the largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils in the world housed at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum. Given his role in their discovery and preparation Elliott is listed on the scientific papers of several new species including Australovenator,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hocknull |first1=Scott A. |last2=White |first2=Matt A. |last3=Tischler |first3=Travis R. |last4=Cook |first4=Alex G. |last5=Calleja |first5=Naomi D. |last6=Sloan |first6=Trish |last7=Elliott |first7=David A. |year=2009 |editor-last=Sereno |editor-first=Paul |editor-link=Paul Sereno |title=New Mid-Cretaceous (Latest Albian) Dinosaurs from Winton, Queensland, Australia |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=4 |issue=7 |article-number=e6190 |bibcode=2009PLoSO...4.6190H |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0006190 |pmc=2703565 |pmid=19584929 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=White |first1=M. A. |last2=Cook |first2=A. G. |last3=Hocknull |first3=S. A. |last4=Sloan |first4=T. |last5=Sinapius |first5=G. H. K. |last6=Elliott |first6=D. A. |editor1-last=Dodson |editor1-first=Peter |title=New Forearm Elements Discovered of Holotype Specimen Australovenator wintonensis from Winton, Queensland, Australia |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0039364 |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=7 |issue=6 |article-number=e39364 |year=2012 |pmid=22761772 |pmc=3384666 |bibcode=2012PLoSO...739364W |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name= Whiteetal2013>{{Cite journal |last1=White |first1=M. A. |last2=Falkingham |first2=P. L. |last3=Cook |first3=A. G. |last4=Hocknull |first4=S. A. |last5=Elliott |first5=D. A. |title=Morphological comparisons of metacarpal I for ''Australovenator wintonensis'' and ''Rapator ornitholestoides'': Implications for their taxonomic relationships |doi=10.1080/03115518.2013.770221 |journal=Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology |pages=435–441 |year=2013 |volume=37 |issue=4 |bibcode=2013Alch...37..435W |s2cid=82672110}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=White |first1=Matt A. |last2=Benson |first2=Roger B. J. |last3=Tischler |first3=Travis R. |last4=Hocknull |first4=Scott A. |last5=Cook |first5=Alex G. |last6=Barnes |first6=David G. |last7=Poropat |first7=Stephen F. |last8=Wooldridge |first8=Sarah J. |last9=Sloan |first9=Trish |date=July 24, 2013 |title=New Australovenator Hind Limb Elements Pertaining to the Holotype Reveal the Most Complete Neovenatorid Leg |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=8 |issue=7 |article-number=e68649 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0068649 |pmid=23894328 |pmc=3722220 |issn=1932-6203 |bibcode=2013PLoSO...868649W |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=White |first1=Matt A. |last2=Bell |first2=Phil R. |last3=Cook |first3=Alex G. |last4=Barnes |first4=David G. |last5=Tischler |first5=Travis R. |last6=Bassam |first6=Brant J. |last7=Elliott |first7=David A. |date=September 14, 2015 |title=Forearm Range of Motion in ''Australovenator wintonensis'' (Theropoda, Megaraptoridae) |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=10 |issue=9 |article-number=e0137709 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0137709 |pmid=26368529 |pmc=4569425 |issn=1932-6203 |bibcode=2015PLoSO..1037709W |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=White |first1=Matt A. |last2=Bell |first2=Phil R. |last3=Cook |first3=Alex G. |last4=Poropat |first4=Stephen F. |last5=Elliott |first5=David A. |date=December 15, 2015 |title=The dentary of Australovenator wintonensis(Theropoda, Megaraptoridae); implications for megaraptorid dentition |journal=PeerJ |language=en |volume=3 |article-number=e1512 |doi=10.7717/peerj.1512 |pmid=26713256 |issn=2167-8359 |pmc=4690360 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=White |first1=Matt A. |last2=Cook |first2=Alex G. |last3=Klinkhamer |first3=Ada J. |last4=Elliott |first4=David A. |date=August 3, 2016 |title=The pes of Australovenator wintonensis(Theropoda: Megaraptoridae): analysis of the pedal range of motion and biological restoration |journal=PeerJ |language=en |volume=4 |article-number=e2312 |doi=10.7717/peerj.2312 |pmid=27547591 |issn=2167-8359 |pmc=4975041 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Diamantinasaurus,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hocknull |first1=Scott A. |last2=White |first2=Matt A. |last3=Tischler |first3=Travis R. |last4=Cook |first4=Alex G. |last5=Calleja |first5=Naomi D. |last6=Sloan |first6=Trish |last7=Elliott |first7=David A. |year=2009 |editor-last=Sereno |editor-first=Paul |editor-link=Paul Sereno |title=New Mid-Cretaceous (Latest Albian) Dinosaurs from Winton, Queensland, Australia |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=4 |issue=7 |article-number=e6190 |bibcode=2009PLoSO...4.6190H |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0006190 |pmc=2703565 |pmid=19584929 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="poropatetal14">{{cite journal |last1=Poropat |first1=S.F. |last2=Upchurch |first2=P. |last3=Mannion |first3=P.D. |last4=Hocknull |first4=S.A. |last5=Kear |first5=B.P. |last6=Sloan |first6=T. |last7=Sinapius |first7=G.H.K. |last8=Elliot |first8=D.A. |year=2014 |title=Revision of the sauropod dinosaur ''Diamantinasaurus matildae'' Hocknull et al. 2009 from the mid-Cretaceous of Australia: Implications for Gondwanan titanosauriform dispersal |journal=Gondwana Research |doi=10.1016/j.gr.2014.03.014 |volume=27 |issue=3 |pages=995–1033 |doi-access=free |hdl=10044/1/27497 |hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref name="poropat16">{{cite journal |first1=S.F. |last1=Poropat |first2=P.D. |last2=Mannion |first3=P. |last3=Upchurch |first4=S.A. |last4=Hocknull |first5=B.P. |last5=Kear |first6=M. |last6=Kundrát |first7=T.R. |last7=Tischler |first8=T. |last8=Sloan |first9=G.H.K. |last9=Sinapius | first10 = J.A. | last10 = Elliott |first11=D.A. |last11=Elliott |title=New Australian sauropods shed light on Cretaceous dinosaur palaeobiogeography |journal=Scientific Reports |volume=6 |article-number=34467 |date=2016 |doi=10.1038/srep34467 |pmid=27763598 |pmc=5072287 |bibcode=2016NatSR...634467P}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Poropat |first1=Stephen F |last2=Kundrát |first2=Martin |last3=Mannion |first3=Philip D |last4=Upchurch |first4=Paul |last5=Tischler |first5=Travis R |last6=Elliott |first6=David A |date=January 20, 2021 |title=Second specimen of the Late Cretaceous Australian sauropod dinosaur ''Diamantinasaurus matildae'' provides new anatomical information on the skull and neck of early titanosaurs |journal=Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society |volume=192 |issue=2 |language=en |pages=610–674 |doi=10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa173 |issn=0024-4082 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |vauthors=Rigby SL, Poropat SF, Mannion PD, Pentland AH, Sloan T, Rumbold SJ, Webster CB, Elliott DA |year=2022 |title=A juvenile ''Diamantinasaurus matildae'' (Dinosauria: Titanosauria) from the Upper Cretaceous Winton Formation of Queensland, Australia, with implications for sauropod ontogeny |journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology |volume=41 |issue=6 |article-number=e2047991 |doi=10.1080/02724634.2021.2047991 |s2cid=248187418 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name=PMRDPBSE23>{{Cite journal |last1=Poropat |first1=S. F. |last2=Mannion |first2=P. D. |last3=Rigby |first3=S. L. |last4=Duncan |first4=R. J. |last5=Pentland |first5=A. H. |last6=Bevitt |first6=J. J. |last7=Sloan |first7=T. |last8=Elliott |first8=D. A. |year=2023 |title=A nearly complete skull of the sauropod dinosaur ''Diamantinasaurus matildae'' from the Upper Cretaceous Winton Formation of Australia and implications for the early evolution of titanosaurs |journal=Royal Society Open Science |volume=10 |issue=4 |at=221618 |doi=10.1098/rsos.221618 |doi-access=free |pmid=37063988 |pmc=10090887|bibcode=2023RSOS...1021618P }}</ref><ref name="WintonSauropodReview24">{{Cite journal |last1=Beeston |first1=S. L. |last2=Poropat |first2=S. F. |last3=Mannion |first3=P. D. |last4=Pentland |first4=A. H. |last5=Enchelmaier |first5=M. J. |last6=Sloan |first6=T. |last7=Elliott |first7=D. A. |year=2024 |title=Reappraisal of sauropod dinosaur diversity in the Upper Cretaceous Winton Formation of Queensland, Australia, through 3D digitisation and description of new specimens |journal=PeerJ |volume=12 |at=e17180 |doi=10.7717/peerj.17180 |doi-access=free |pmid=38618562 |pmc=11011616}}</ref> Savannasaurus,<ref name="poropat2016">{{cite journal |last1=Poropat |first1=S.F. |last2=Mannion |first2=P.D. |last3=Upchurch |first3=P. |last4=Hocknull |first4=S.A. |last5=Kear |first5=B.P. |last6=Kundrát |first6=M. |last7=Tischler |first7=T.R. |last8=Sloan |first8=T. |last9=Sinapius |first9=G.H.K. |last10=Elliott |first10=J.A. |last11=Elliott |first11=D.A. |title=New Australian sauropods shed light on Cretaceous dinosaur palaeobiogeography |journal=Scientific Reports |date=2016 |volume=6 |article-number=34467 |doi=10.1038/srep34467 |pmid=27763598 |pmc=5072287 |bibcode=2016NatSR...634467P}}</ref><ref name="poropat2020">{{cite journal |last1=Poropat |first1=S.F. |last2=Mannion |first2=P.D. |last3=Upchurch |first3=P. |last4=Tischler |first4=T.R. |last5=Sloan |first5=T. |last6=Sinapius |first6=G.H.K. |last7=Elliott |first7=J.A. |last8=Elliott |first8=D.A. |year=2020 |title=Osteology of the Wide-Hipped Titanosaurian Sauropod Dinosaur ''Savannasaurus elliottorum'' from the Upper Cretaceous Winton Formation of Queensland, Australia |journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology |volume=40 |issue=3 |article-number=e1786836 |doi=10.1080/02724634.2020.1786836 |s2cid=224850234 |url=https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/10098670/1/Accepted%20MS.pdf}}</ref> Wintonotitan,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hocknull |first1=Scott A. |last2=White |first2=Matt A. |last3=Tischler |first3=Travis R. |last4=Cook |first4=Alex G. |last5=Calleja |first5=Naomi D. |last6=Sloan |first6=Trish |last7=Elliott |first7=David A. |year=2009 |editor-last=Sereno |editor-first=Paul |editor-link=Paul Sereno |title=New Mid-Cretaceous (Latest Albian) Dinosaurs from Winton, Queensland, Australia |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=4 |issue=7 |article-number=e6190 |bibcode=2009PLoSO...4.6190H |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0006190 |pmc=2703565 |pmid=19584929 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="WintonSauropodReview24">{{Cite journal |last1=Beeston |first1=S. L. |last2=Poropat |first2=S. F. |last3=Mannion |first3=P. D. |last4=Pentland |first4=A. H. |last5=Enchelmaier |first5=M. J. |last6=Sloan |first6=T. |last7=Elliott |first7=D. A. |year=2024 |title=Reappraisal of sauropod dinosaur diversity in the Upper Cretaceous Winton Formation of Queensland, Australia, through 3D digitisation and description of new specimens |journal=PeerJ |volume=12 |at=e17180 |doi=10.7717/peerj.17180 |doi-access=free |pmid=38618562 |pmc=11011616}}</ref> Ferrodraco<ref name="Pentland2019">{{Cite journal |last1=Pentland |first1=Adele H. |last2=Poropat |first2=Stephen F. |last3=Tischler |first3=Travis R. |last4=Sloan |first4=Trish |last5=Elliott |first5=Robert A. |last6=Elliott |first6=Harry A. |last7=Elliott |first7=Judy A. |last8=Elliott |first8=David A. |date=December 2019 |title=''Ferrodraco lentoni'' gen. et sp. nov., a new ornithocheirid pterosaur from the Winton Formation (Cenomanian–lower Turonian) of Queensland, Australia |journal=Scientific Reports |volume=9 |issue=1 |page=13454 |doi=10.1038/s41598-019-49789-4 |pmid=31582757 |pmc=6776501 |bibcode=2019NatSR...913454P |issn=2045-2322}}</ref> and Confractosuchus<ref name="Win">{{Cite journal |last1=White |first1=M.A. |last2=Bell |first2=P.R. |last3=Campione |first3=N.E. |last4=Sansalone |first4=G. |last5=Brougham |first5=T. |last6=Bevitt |first6=J.J. |last7=Molnar |first7=R.E. |last8=Cook |first8=A.G. |last9=Wroe |first9=S.|last10=Elliott|first10=D.A. |year=2022 |title=Abdominal contents reveal Cretaceous crocodyliforms ate dinosaurs |journal=Gondwana Research |volume=106 |pages=281–302 |doi=10.1016/j.gr.2022.01.016 |bibcode=2022GondR.106..281W |doi-access=free|hdl=11380/1318347 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> as well as the 54 meter long Snake Creek tracksite.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Grounds |first=Ellie |date=June 17, 2021 |title=Dinosaur footprints reveal behaviour of prehistoric animals living near Winton 95 million years ago |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-17/dinosaur-footprints-winton-prehistoric-animals-lived-together/100221948 |website=ABC Western Qld |language=en}}</ref> His contributions to palaeontology include developing a thriving palaeotourism industry in regional Australia, which now accounts for a quarter of Queensland's leisure tourism.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/david-elliott-oam |title=Australian of the Year Awards |date=June 25, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/99571 |title=Queenslanders shining bright at Australian of the Year Awards |date=January 25, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-14/dinosaur-tourism-boom-outback-queensland/100131422 |title=Tourists flock to paleo attractions in outback Queensland, with new discoveries added to dinosaur trail |newspaper=ABC News |date=May 14, 2021}}</ref> == Australian Age of Dinosaurs== The Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History was founded by David and Judy Elliott, who continue to expand its operations to attract more visitors to regional Australia. The Museum is located 24 kilometers southeast of Winton, and about {{Convert|660|km|mi}} southwest of Townsville, on Australia's first International Dark-Sky Sanctuary.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://darksky.org/places/the-jump-up-dark-sky-sanctuary/ |title=The Jump-Up |date=May 22, 2019}}</ref> It has been built in stages and has won several awards.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7623069/celebrating-the-public-art-splashed-across-our-nation/ |title=2022 Australian Street Art Awards: public art celebrates communities |date=February 16, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.northweststar.com.au/story/7580365/australian-age-of-dinosaurs-honoured-at-museum-awards/ |title=Australian Age of Dinosaurs honoured at museum awards |date=February 9, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.australianageofdinosaurs.com/page/123/australian-age-of-dinosaurs-our-awards |title=Our Awards |date=June 25, 2024}}</ref> The Museum features Australia's most productive Fossil Preparation Laboratory, the Reception Centre and Collection Room, Dinosaur Canyon (featuring life-sized bronze dinosaur dioramas), the ''March of the Titanosaurs'' exhibition and the Gondwana Stars Observatory.

== Awards and recognition == * 2006: Queensland Museum Medal from the Queensland Museum<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.museum.qld.gov.au/about/queensland-museum-medal |title=Queensland Museum Medal |date=June 25, 2025}}</ref> * 2011: The James Love Churchill Fellowship from the Winston Churchill Trust<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.churchilltrust.com.au/fellow/david-elliott-oam-qld-2011/ |title=Winston Churchill Trust |date=July 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320121539/https://www.churchilltrust.com.au/fellow/david-elliott-oam-qld-2011/ |archive-date=March 20, 2016 }}</ref> * 2014: Winton Citizen of the Year from the Winton Shire Council * 2015: Order of Australia Medal (OAM) from The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/honours/qb/qb2015/sinvhopeg/Media%20Notes%20-%20OAM%20(A-E)%20(2).pdf |title=Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division |date=September 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320121539/https://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/honours/qb/qb2015/sinvhopeg/Media%20Notes%20-%20OAM%20(A-E)%20(2).pdf |archive-date=March 20, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-08/queens-birthday-honours-queensland-winners/6526842 |title=Queen's Birthday honours: More than 50 Queenslanders receive awards |newspaper=ABC News |date=June 9, 2015}}</ref> * 2019: Marie Watson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual from the Queensland Tourism Industry Council<ref>{{cite web |url=https://qticazure.blob.core.windows.net/crmblobcontainer/2019%20Winners.pdf8 |title=2019 winners |date=December 12, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/story/6486393/outback-strikes-gold-at-state-tourism-awards/ |title=Outback operators big winners at Queensland tourism awards |date=November 11, 2019}}</ref> * 2023: Queensland's Local Hero from the Australia Day Council<ref>{{cite web |url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/99088 |title=2024 Australian of the Year Award recipients for Queensland announced |date=November 8, 2023}}</ref> * 2024: Australia's Local Hero from the Australia Day Council<ref>{{cite web |url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/99571 |title=Queenslanders shining bright at Australian of the Year Awards |date=January 25, 2024}}</ref> * 2025: Queensland Great at the Queensland Greats Awards from the Queensland Government<ref>{{cite web |url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/102715 |title=Queensland Greats honoured for improving the lives of Queenslanders |date=June 6, 2025}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Elliott, David}} Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia Category:Australian paleontologists