Daughter pays tribute to former Woodfordia Inc president Des Ritchie

A longstanding president of the Woodford Folk Festival and lifetime advocate for environment conversation has been farewelled as his family and friends plan to mark his life.

Des Ritchie with his partner Jillian Rossiter.

A beloved, longstanding president of the Woodford Folk Festival and “man of the trees” has been farewelled, as his family pay tribute to his life’s work.

Des Ritchie OAM died on June 2, 2023 at the age of 91, just one month short of his birthday, surrounded by his loved ones.

His youngest of four children Roisin Ritchie recounted his years of dedication to wildlife and the arts within his career at the Sunshine Coast Environment Council and Woodfordia Inc (formerly known as Queensland Folk Federation.)

Ms Ritchie said her father was a “beautiful human” who was committed to restoring and protecting the world’s wildlife for his three grandchildren and all future generations to enjoy.

Des Ritchie receives his Order of Australia medal in 2012. Pictured with his daughter Roisin, partner Jillian, daughter Tanya and son Michael.

“He was probably just the most positive person full of energy and life and he just inspired people to be and do things they never imagined possible,” Ms Ritchie said.

“He had this incredible capacity to inspire people around him.

Mr Ritchie was born, grew up and attended university in Ireland before he moved to work with computers in London, Ireland, Canada and Australia.

He returned to farm life in Torbanlea, Fraser Coast before the Sunshine Coast became Mr Ritchie’s home in 1979, where he soon joined the Sunshine Coast Environment Council, moving from treasurer, to co-ordinator before serving as president between 1991 and 1993.

Ms Ritchie said her father described these times as, “the most satisfying and productive part of my life – doing something to preserve life in its many forms on this planet”.

Des Ritchie, with his partner Jillian Rossiter, at a recent rally demanding government action on climate change.

Mr Ritchie worked with retired school principal Beryl Muspratt to organise a team of environmental educators for schools, and after handing the position of SCEC president to Joe Ruiz-Avila, the pair held a series of community talks to raise environmental awareness.

During his time as manager for The Meeting Place at Nambour in the 1980s, he met Bill Hauritz, co-ordinator of the Maleny Folk Festival, and quickly joined his team at the Queensland Folk Federation in 1989.

The Maleny Folk Festival soon outgrew its grounds so a site at Woodford was bought - thus came the birth of the Woodford Folk Festival.

Mr Ritchie went on to act as the president of Woodfordia Inc for 20 years.

Des with organiser Jyllie Jackson and Jinibara Traditional Owners at the Woodford Folk Festival fire event.

“He was a catalyst for the festival’s major environmental initiatives – including the planting of 100,000 trees,” Ms Ritchie said.

During his career advocating for the environment, he worked as a Maroochy Waterwatch water tester volunteer, Sunshine Coast Landcare Environment Action Program manager, SCEC representative for the South East Queensland 2020 Planning Program and 2003 Community Visioning Project and member of the University of the Sunshine Coast Ethics Committee.

Des Ritchie with his partner Jillian Rossiter at the GREENhouse, Woodford Folk Festival, an environmental education stage founded by Mr Ritchie more than 20 years ago.

At the age of 81, Mr Ritchie was award an Order of Australia medal in 2012 for his dedication and service to conversation, environment and the arts.

A ceremony will be held to “farewell the inspirational and true legend,” including dinner and music, at Woodfordia on Saturday July 8 from 3pm.

To RSVP for the event, follow the link before July 3: woodfordia.org/shindigfordesrsvp