STAFF WRITERS
TRIBUTES have flowed for local CFA champion, Simon Lund.
Mr Lund was an enormous figure within the Country Fire Authority for close to 30 years.
Starting as a volunteer firefighter with CFA in 1998, he spent 25 years as a CFA employee, working as a senior technical field officer. He worked at many major incidents, including the Black Saturday and Black Summer bushfires, as well as the Hazelwood Mine fire.
Throughout his career, Mr Lund served as vice president and acting president of the Gippsland Trades and Labour Council, and established a union sub-group for CFA members.
He led the charge in enterprise bargaining at CFA, as well as numerous other campaigns. His mantra as a delegate was ‘Respect and Recognition’.
In a cruel fate, he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer brought on by his work. Fighting to the end, he led a campaign to have CFA professional, technical and administrative staff covered by the Presumptive Rights legislation. The campaign is ongoing.
Mr Lund was awarded life membership to the Australian Services Union this year.
He passed away peacefully on Monday, May 12, aged 56.
He is survived by his wife and Latrobe City Morwell River Ward Councillor, Tracie Lund and their three children.
Latrobe City Council acknowledged Mr Lund’s passing at its additional council meeting on Monday, May 12.
Cr Lund has understandably taken extended leave from official duties.
