Fallen firefighter Peter Curtis farewelled by hundreds in beloved forest

Hundreds have gathered beneath the trees of Wirrabara Forest to farewell firefighter Peter Curtis, who died while fighting a blaze on the Eyre Peninsula.

Hundreds gather to farewell Peter Curtis in the Wirrabara Forest. Picture: Brett Hartwig.

Firefighter Peter Curtis has been farewelled in the place he loved most – beneath the trees of the Wirrabara Forest, where he taught others to stop and admire its beauty.

Hundreds gathered at “Pete’s Place” on Wednesday to honour the 65-year-old who died last month while fighting a blaze at the Pinkawillinie Conservation Park, near Kimba.

His love of nature defined the heartbreaking tributes, including by his daughter Acacia Curtis who remembered his death on November 23 as a date that “stains the calendar”.

Peter Curtis’s children Thomas and Acacia remember their dad in front of hundreds of mourners. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“The world continues to rotate, rivers continue to fill, wind howls along the pines and the gums – howling in pain as a loved one is lost to death,” she said.

“A budding fruit tree blooms with bright blossoms, stone fruit forms.

“Time doesn’t pause for those who mourn. The demands of the land crave attention.”

Acacia remembered her father as “not one for small talk, preferring the silence and peace”.

“A stern glare, a grumpy glaze, a scowl, one eyebrow raised, a smirk, a wink, a cheeky rare grin, deep rich laughter,” she said.

“Beneath all this is a man who cared deeply, hoping to go unnoticed.”

Acacia Curtis and her brother Thomas remember their father Peter Curtis. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Mr Curtis left behind his wife Jackie, four children and six grandchildren.

His coffin was draped with a CFS flag and topped with a helmet bearing his name and colourful native flowers.

His son, Thomas, shared memories of their dad picking them up in a tractor to pick peaches and travelling together in an old F Truck to sell fruit at the Adelaide markets.

“Dad was a man of incredible knowledge and amazing skills, a hardworking man who always pushed himself taking risks and somehow pulling them off,” he said.

“He had thick skin but one of the softest hearts. He pushed us kids to be better.”

An orchardist who worked with Forestry SA in the Wirrabara area since 1995, Mr Curtis joined the National Parks and Wildlife Services Brigade of the CFS in 2017.

Jackie Curtis is supported by a friend at the funeral of her husband, Peter. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Firefighters from across the state attended to pay their respects with colleagues from the Southern Flinders brigade remembering him as an “honest, caring and deeply committed” man, known affectionately as “Papa Pete”.

“The nickname says everything about the impact he had, he became a father figure to many and a very good friend,” Shaun Irrgang said.

Southern Flinders brigade colleague Shaun Irrgang speaks at the funeral of Peter Curtis/ Picture: Brett Hartwig

A guard of honour for fallen firefighter Peter Curtis. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“Pete always found time to appreciate the beauty of where he worked.

“He admired the orchids in spring and would always point them out, climb cliffs and gorges and scramble through caves just to catch a glimpse of yellow-footed wallabies.

“His appreciation of the land reminded us to stop, look and value the world around us.

“His absence will be deeply missed.

“You are finished with the fireys, hang up your helmet, put up your chainsaw and rest in peace.”