Obituaries Australia

On the 3rd of January, 1978, John [David Fabian] was tragically killed in a road accident whilst in the course of his employment with the South Australian Woods and Forests Department.

John began his forestry studies in Adelaide and graduated from the Australian National University in 1968. He returned to South Australia to take up his first appointment at the Myora Forest District. There he became involved in logging operations as well as other aspects of forest management.

During the next six years he worked on various forest districts within the State and it was during this period that he developed his interest in harvesting operations. In 1976 he joined the newly formed Harvesting & Marketing Division of the Department as Assistant Logging Manager. Here he was involved in introducing many changes, as his objectives were to improve both the methods and the organization of the harvesting industry within the South East Region of the State. It was all the more tragic that his death occurred when many of his objectives were being achieved.

John really loved people. There are few who could work so hard or long to fight for a fair deal for all involved and, in particular, ensuring the protection of those vulnerable to even the slightest degree of exploitation. This rare and valuable strength gained him the respect of employees, associates and all within the industry.

John’s interest in forestry and his desire to contribute to its development was reflected in his involvement with the Institute and the Hoo Hoo organization. He had been Secretary of the South East Branch of the S.A. Division and had participated in the Technical Session of the Eighth Conference in Adelaide. At the time of his death he was a committee member of the South East Branch and the President of the Mount Gambier Hoo Hoo Club.

In 1972 John married his wife Linda and is survived by her and their two sons Kym and Perry.

The forestry profession has lost not only a dedicated forester but also a very fine person, one who had an infinite capacity to care for others.