A tribute to Joe

Joe was a staunch, energetic and forthright defender of Australia’s natural environment. He was actively involved in campaigns to protect the Daintree rainforest, to save Tasmania’s oldgrowth forests, to stop destructive pulp mills, and to extend Tasmania’s World Heritage Area.

He was with me in the East Picton in 1992, protesting against the logging of what used to be the Hartz Mountains National Park, when conservationists’ cars were firebombed by loggers. He stood up for us in one of the local pubs and suffered accordingly, copping an awful assault from a drunken logger.

He never shied away from expressing his convictions.

He also helped us in very unconfrontational ways – letterboxing, putting up signs, and helping to construct walking tracks into threatened parts of the Styx Valley of the Giants.

Joe brought a good-natured larrikin streak to conservation campaigns, enlivening the proceedings in ways no one else did. He was keenly observant, practical and resourceful, capable of unique but always wellgrounded insights.

Joe had the courage to stand up for his beliefs within the Tasmanian Forestry Commission while he worked there in the 1980s and early 1990s,and fearlessly used his position there to the benefit of his friends in the conservation movement.

Joe Harries richly deserves recognition for his part in campaigns that have created new National Parks and World Heritage Areas in Tasmania. He was one of a kind. Will be very sorely missed.