At 94 years of age, East Gippslander John Mulligan continues to share his knowledge and passion for the environment, with his new book Our Mismanaged Forests set to be officially launched this Sunday.
Speaking in Federal Parliament, Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said Mr Mulligan’s work highlights the importance of practical, on-the-ground environmental management.
“I’ve often said what we need is more boots and less suits when it comes to looking after our environment,” Mr Chester said.
“More boots on the ground doing the work to manage our forests and keep communities safe, and fewer suits writing reports and making excuses.”
Mr Chester said Mr Mulligan brings a unique and valuable perspective, shaped by a lifetime of experience in the bush.
“John has spent his life living and working in East Gippsland’s forests,” he said.
“As a survivor of the 1939 Black Friday bushfires, he has witnessed firsthand the impact of major fire events across more than nine decades.”
In Our Mismanaged Forests, Mr Mulligan draws on that experience to highlight the importance of active land management, including reducing fuel loads and learning from traditional Indigenous practices that have long used fire as a tool to care for country.
Mr Chester said the book delivers an important and timely message.
“We need to better understand how to live with fire in the landscape and take practical steps to reduce the risk of the devastating mega-fires we’ve seen in recent years,” he said.
“Our Mismanaged Forests is an impressive contribution from a Gippslander who continues to advocate for practical, informed approaches to environmental management.”
