Five men killed during Victoria’s ferocious bushfire season
The state’s fierce bushfire season has claimed the lives of five men, many of whom had spent decades fighting ferocious fires around the state.
Victoria’s lengthy battle against the seemingly unrelenting bushfires this summer has claimed the lives of five men.
Three died in East Gippsland during the firefight which began back on November 21 and two firefighters were killed in the Alpine region as the blazes tore through natural bushland this month.
The national toll has now reached 29, including 21 in New South Wales and three in South Australia.
MAT KAVANAGH, 43, ALEXANDRA
Firefighter Mat Kavanagh, a veteran who fought the Marysville inferno on Black Saturday in 2009, died when the ute he was a passenger in crashed into a car at Thornton, near Mansfield, on January 3.
His brother Mike Kavanagh described the loss as “a crushing blow for all of us”.
“He was kind and friendly to every person he met. He was a gentleman who lived life in the sweet spot.
“He made you feel famous, the most important person in the room.’’
Mat Kavanagh, a forest management firefighter, had helped put out seven unattended campfires before the collision on the Goulburn Valley Highway.
DELWP colleague Steve Smith said: “He was a one-in-a-million kind of bloke.”
He is survived by wife Jude, children Reuben and Kate and parents Marise and Mick.
A 46-year-old Alexandra man has been charged over the fatal crash.
DAVID MORESI, 69, JOHNSONVILLE
Forest Fire Management contractor David Moresi, died in a vehicle rollover at W Tree in East Gippsland on November 30.
His car rolled when he drove through the fire ground after a day of supervising bulldozers digging fire breaks.
Daughter Kelly Douglass said: “He was a really good and caring dad, he loved his grandkids and would do anything for them.”
“He always watched them play footy and all of their sports. He would take them camping, motorbike riding and fishing — all the outdoor stuff.
“He would do anything for his family.”
Mr Moresi and his wife, Judi, had been together since they were 15.
The former schoolteacher, from Johnsonville, had been due to fly to the Philippines on Boxing Day to help build a school. An annual scholarship for local schoolchildren has now been named in his honour.
Forest Fire Management Victoria chief Chris Hardman said Mr Moresi had taught his grandchildren to shoot, fish and hunt.
“We do have a debt that the community can never repay,” he said.
BILL SLADE, 60, WONTHAGGI
The funeral will be held on Wednesday of “Bushfire Bill” who was killed by a falling tree at Anglers Rest, near Omeo, on January 11.
The veteran firefighter and father of two died while working with a forest fire management taskforce to consolidate the fire edge.
Mr Slade had received a commendation in November for 40 years’ service with the forestry agency.
Forest Fire Management Victoria Executive Director Chris Hardman said sometimes the risk of identifying hazardous trees cannot be predicted.
Mr Slade’s wife Carol, in a tribute in the Herald Sun, said she “never thought that this would be something that would be happening to us”.
“You gave us so much, and have been my rock for nearly 40 years,” she said.
He is also survived by daughter Stephanie and son Ethan.
Mr Slade’s funeral service will be held at Wonthaggi State Coal Mine today.
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MICK ROBERTS, 67, BUCHAN
Great-grandfather Mick Roberts was found dead in his fire-ravaged home in Buchan on New Year’s Day.
Mr Roberts, remembered as a larrikin and town legend, chose to stay at his Sunny Point Rd property as the fire approached.
The cattle farmer had been painting his home with two mates, who fled for safety in a nearby river.
Niece Leah Parsons said her uncle was a tough man who did not believe in running, even for his own life.
“He would always have defended (his home). He was old school … he believed you don’t run from anything,” she said.
FRED BECKER, MARAMINGO CREEK
Timber worker Fred Becker suffered a heart attack after defending his and neighbouring properties on New Year’s night.
The third-generation saw mill worker, was found inside his fire-ravaged home at Maramingo Creek near Genoa.
Mr Becker collapsed after working around the clock to put out flames at his and neighbouring properties in the tiny community.
His father, Alex Becker, established the saw mill 90 years ago. The business is the area’s last family-owned mill.
Originally published as Five men killed during Victoria’s ferocious bushfire season
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