Tribute to John Dean

The Wilderness Society today paid tribute to the life and contributions of John Dean, who passed away on Sunday evening. John is a long-time conservationist, explorer and member whose contribution to conservation in Tasmania often went unnoticed.

John is best known by many for his efforts as a young man to paddle the wild Franklin River.

In the 1950s, he and others made numerous attempts to conquer the river, succeeding in their third attempt, but not before having to rebuild canoes, regather their courage and wait several years. The adventures are captured in John’s book ‘Shooting the Franklin’.

“John is a legendary figure in Tasmanian adventure, exploration and conservation. He not only left the legacy of breaking new ground on the Franklin, he took the time to document it in a historical account that could easily be confused for fiction,” said Vica Bayley, spokesperson for The Wilderness Society.

“His story has helped to inspire, inform and awe a generation of conservationists who have gone on to make their own contributions to protecting Tasmania’s wild places.

“People like John are stalwarts of the conservation community in Tasmania and he will be missed.

The Wilderness Society offers its condolences to John’s wife Stephanie and family, including daughter Annette, with whom we have worked closely over the years.
Vica Bayley, spokesperson for The Wilderness Society