October 26th, 2023Vale Kevin Tolhurst

Words & image: Narelle Groenhout

Tributes continue to pour in from across Hepburn Shire, the state, the country and the world, following the recent untimely passing of Creswick’s Dr Kevin Tolhurst.
Kevin was Australia’s top bushfire scientist and one of the most measured voices that was quietly but unreservedly determined to promote science-based forest fire management.
The week of his funeral, he had been due to be in Queensland to receive the NW Jolly Medal – the highest honour for outstanding service to the forest science profession in Australia. He was instead honoured posthumously by nearly 500 of his peers.
Forestry Australia president Michelle Freeman said “Kevin’s contribution to forest and fire management has been phenomenal – his knowledge and passion were truly awe inspiring. Generations of foresters and forestry scientists were inspired and influenced by Kevin.”
It was standing room only at St Augustine’s Catholic Church in Creswick last Tuesday. Kevin’s son Michael shared stories of his father, paid tribute to the hands-on grandfather he was and for the work he did in his family, community and professional life.
Parishioner and friend David Preston spoke of Kevin’s tireless work in the Creswick community and for the church. On his early life at the Creswick School of Forestry where he met his future wife Rosemary, on his devotion to his faith and his profession. Kevin was part way through cutting a hedge on the church grounds. Testament to his tireless work.
Late last year, Kevin was a key contributor to a landmark body of work released to assist governments and private organisations to tackle Australia’s bushfire concerns, and to save lives, land and property.
At the time of the release of the report, he said: “We have developed this framework to promote greater coordination, collaboration across state and federal governments and are calling for buy-in at all levels.”
It is unlikely that we will ever have anyone with the experience, knowledge and training to do what Kevin has achieved as a forester, and particularly as an internationally renowned expert in forest fire.
Kevin leaves behind his wife Rosemary and children, Michael, Chris, Gen and their families.