Richard Piesse 2024

GDTA track builder, Life Member and naturalist, Richard Piesse, died peacefully at Peter Mac Hospital on December 28, 2024, after a long battle with melanoma. He was 82 years of age.

Richard managed the building of both the Lerderderg and Leanganook tracks on behalf of the Great Dividing Trail Association. He had great knowledge of central Victorian plants and initiated a flora guide for the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club. In 2013, he won Bushwalking Victoria’s Distinguished Service Award (Gold) for his role in advancing the development of recreational bushwalking in Victoria.

Richard was a contributor to our community in many  ways: as a member of the Great Dividing Trail Association, the Field Naturalists Club and the Friends of the Box Ironbark Forests and as a volunteer for the Chewton Domain Society and the Castlemaine Tourist Information Centre. His detailed knowledge of the natural history of the Goldfields region made him an invaluable contributor to field guides of the area and a knowledgeable leader for many bushwalks in the region.

Richard loved our local bush and was a knowledgeable and engaging companion to have on our many bushwalks. He was always ready to provide advice to volunteer organisations and land managers about maintaining, developing and protecting our natural heritage.