The Dieback Working Group is very sad to announce the recent passing of our Honourary Chairman, Dr Ian Colquhoun. Ian was terminally ill with cancer and passed away on Thursday 1st of October.
Ian founded the Dieback Working Group in 1996 and has chaired the group for the past 19 years. His passion for science, education and conservation was self-evident through his achievements in plant pathology research, his awarded Discovering Dieback education program (developed with his wife Mady and Armadale Primary School), and his many, many achievements in conservation through the Dieback Working Group and Roleybushcare. He was especially passionate about conserving the flora of Western Australia and worked hard to vastly improve the awareness, management and treatment of Phytophthora Dieback in Western Australia.
Ian was a friend, colleague, mentor and a true inspiration to the Dieback Working Group and will be dearly missed. His fair and kind leadership, intelligence and drive to work hard for a cause he believed in, were an asset to the group.
A small private funeral was held last week and Ian’s family have requested that their privacy be respected at this time. A gathering of Ian’s family, friends and colleagues to celebrate and share memories of Ian will be held on Sunday 18th of October at the Roleystone Neighbourhood Family Centre. Details are provided below by Ian’s friends at Roleybushare:
“Family, friends and colleagues are warmly invited to a Gathering to share and celebrate their memories of Ian.
Please wear bright odd socks in honour of Ian’s penchant for colourful odd socks!
There will be an opportunity at the Gathering to contribute words and/or photos to a Memory Book. If you are unable to attend and would like to contribute please email your tribute to Shelagh Fitzpatrick [email protected]
Please join Mady, Nyssa and Jamie on Sunday 18th October, from 5.00pm onwards at the Roleystone Neighbourhood Family Centre, 19 Wygonda Road, Roleystone.
Tea and coffee will be supplied and feel free to bring your own alternate liquid refreshments.
A small plate of finger food to share would be appreciated.
May we ask you to share this invitation with others who knew Ian.”
The DWG will strive to continue Ian’s legacy and make him proud of the group he started, 19 years ago.
Our thoughts are with Ian’s family at this difficult time.
Kind regards and deepest sympathy,
The Dieback Working Group