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A moving commemoration of a young forester, killed fighting the East Coast fires in 2007, was attended by more than 50 family, friends and colleagues in the bush near Mathinna five years to the day after the tragic event.
Photo L to R: Robyn Orr with Natalie Brown and Dean Sheehan congratulated by Stuart Orr flank a portrait and plaque unveiled as part of the commemoration on the fifth anniversary of Tom Orr’s death.
19-year old Tom Orr was described as a popular laid back young bloke who turned out day after day through the long dry summer to fight the fire that took 41 days to beat.
He died after being hit by a falling tree near the very end of the battle.
The informal ceremony was held at a spot Forestry Tasmania dedicated as the Tom Orr Memorial Forest Grove.
In conjunction with the Australian Workers’ Union, FT has introduced an annual award in Tom's memory to recognise career development in forestry.
FT General Manager Operations Steve Whiteley said it was a fitting award to encourage people to continue training throughout their careers.
“Tom was treading a path tried and true for many valued forestry workers. It was his intention to start his Certificate IV under Forestry Tasmania’s sponsorship.
“So in his tragically short life Tom Orr provided an exemplary pathway for young entrants to the forest industry.
“Last year it was decided to broaden the scope beyond just those doing formal traineeships, in recognition that training towards Certificate IV is available across our workforce and we encourage an attitude of life-long training.”
Mr Whiteley along with AWU secretary Ian Wakefield and Tom’s parents Robyn and Stuart Orr congratulated joint winners of the 2012 Tom Orr Memorial Award for career development Natalie Brown and Dean Sheehan.
Mr Whiteley told the audience the recipients had come from dramatically different backgrounds – Natalie from an administrative office environment to attain her Certificate IV in forest growing and management and Dean, having started in the field as a trainee technical forester, developed his managerial skills.
“Both have a no-nonsense approach to their job and both have made considerable investments of their own time to further their lot. Today’s recognition is some reward for that.
“Through a district sponsored traineeship Natalie has excelled in the practical components of her certificate at the same times as performing her usual administrative roles.
“Dean was among the first Tasmanian contingent to go to Victoria to help with the Black Saturday wildfires and since then he has completed an advanced leadership incident program through the Victorian Department of Sustainable Environment.
“Off his own bat he’s also completed a diploma of management and is half way through a graduate certificate in business through the University of Tasmania.
“Together they present fantastic examples for colleagues.
“Congratulations NATALIE BROWN and DEAN SHEEHAN.”
