Chris Maries
Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (13:38): Today I would like to devote my members statement to a dear family friend Chris Maries, who left this earth for God’s eternal rest last week. Chris was a servant of his community known to many in Melbourne’s north, a lifelong CFA volunteer and captain of the Doreen CFA for over a decade. His memory now lives on in the form of a heavy tanker named in his honour in 2021 when he was awarded life membership of the CFA. I am glad Chris got to see for himself the appreciation of his brigade and broader community for a lifetime of service, because it is often the case that testimonials of one’s character come after they have passed, and that is still the case. So many in Melbourne’s north are grieving for a real person of substance who protected us when we were in danger, especially during Black Saturday. I have seen so many tributes from CFA volunteers in the north, all remarking on how he was their personal mentor. One of his stand-out achievements at both Yarrambat and Doreen CFA was his tireless advocacy for presumptive cancer legislation for firefighters, a cause he championed before realising its personal relevance to him. He played an instrumental role in enshrining the volunteer charter into the CFA act. He gave so much more to his family and community than he ever expected in return.
I will always appreciate how encouraging he was of my involvement in politics. He even reached out to me after my maiden speech to say how proud he was. I have been fortunate to know the Maries family for my entire life. Chris was a lifelong friend and old flatmate to my dad, who remembers him as a great family man who had a great sense of humour. He was also known to me as my Uncle Chris. His wife Jenny is my godmother. I want to pass my sincere condolences to the Maries family: his wife Jenny, children Roxann, Jeremy, Jacquelyn and Nathan, and grandchildren Cassius, Archie and Ivy. Vale, Captain Chris Maries.