Kevin Tolhurst
Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (09:48): I rise to farewell Dr Kevin Tolhurst AM, one of our country’s leading bushfire and forestry scientists, who died recently. Based in Creswick for 40 years, Kevin devoted his professional life as a forester to understanding the role of fire in the Victorian ecology. He is one of a small group who used the powerful tools of science to achieve a healthy and safe forest environment. His loyalty to the processes of government and his natural, sincere, respectful and courteous manner were universally appreciated. His knowledge of bushfire science was first class, and he tirelessly worked to place his expertise at the disposal of colleagues and those responsible for Victoria’s fire policies and practices. When the heat was on, most notably during Black Saturday, his fire impact predictions were provided rapidly and with the best possible precision. His real-time fire behaviour predictions equipped those responsible for the safety of Victoria with the best information possible. Kevin’s passing has left us with the loss of a professional who knew his stuff and always acted to provide fearless and frank advice that was not always welcome. I thank David Packham, his friend and colleague, for assisting in this tribute and extend my deepest sympathies to Kevin’s wife Rosemary, his children Michael, Christopher and Gen and their families. Vale, Kevin Tolhurst.