Death of Benj Whitworth

[Philip Veerman <>]

Unexpected....... But I don’t think he could ever have been President of COG. Not unless I blinked and missed this. Can someone clarify this?

 

Philip

 

From: David McDonald (personal) [
Sent: Saturday, 20 February 2016 5:08 PM
To: CanberraBirds
Subject: [canberrabirds] Death of Benj Whitworth

 

-------- Forwarded Message --------

Subject:	Death of Benj Whitworth - past COG president and active volunteer in many ACT conservation groups
Date:	Sat, 20 Feb 2016 16:08:26 +1100
From:	John Walker
To:	m("gmail.com","contact.fotpin");">
CC:	Mark Flinn

Dear COG, Friends of Grasslands, ANPS and the many other conservation, flora and fauna groups of the ACT,

 

I am writing to you with sad news about the death of Benj Whitworth last week.  Benj was only 41.

 

Many of you would know Benj from his time heavily involved with nature conservation in the ACT - more so before his heart difficulties affected his ability to participate.  I believe Benj was, at different times over the past 20 plus years, President of COG and of the ACT Field Naturalists and also held active exec/committee positions on the ANPS, FoG and the Field Nats.  The Pinnacle in Hawker was a special place to him. There were many other ad hoc events and issues that Benj assisted with from time to time including tree planting for the Red Hill Regenerators, planting and weeding at Jerrabomberra Wetlands, doing early work at Aranda Bushland and volunteering with Greening Australia amongst many others too numerous to detail.  

 

Benj had a passion for plants and animals (not cats though :-)) and the environment. He put time and energy into drafting submissions to further conservation aims and in his ‘day job’ he worked on caring for Australia’s fisheries.  

 

Benj loved bird watching at the ANBG and as such his life will be celebrated there with a ceremony at 12:30pm this coming Friday 26th February 2016 - further details are in the link also pasted in below. Please pass this information on to whomever you think needs to know. 

 

There is an online 'condolence book’ linked to the notice in the Canberra Times if you wish to leave a message for Benjs’ family or note a memory of him. I also understand that if you have any photos of Benj that you could share with his family that this would be greatly appreciated. 

 

Kind Regards

Cassandra Walker (friend of Benj)

 

Photo above is Benj in his publicly available Facebook profile picture.

 

http://tributes.canberratimes.com.au/obituaries/canberratimes-au/obituary.aspx?n=benj-whitworth&pid=177772247

 

BENJ WHITWORTH

Born 3 October 1974,
died 13 February 2016.

Much loved son of 
Lesley and Roy,
dearest and only brother to
Rachael and Jemima.
Loved cousin of Scott, Jennie, Tahnee, Chrishan, Kalem, Emma, David
and nephew to 
Andrew and Margo,
Peter and Pat.

Benj was well know around Canberra with his love of Native Plants, Trees,
Birds, Grasslands and
The Pinnacle. 
He died peacefully at his place when his heart
finally gave up.
Gone too soon at 41.

A celebration of Benj's life 
will be held at 
Crosbie Morrison Ampitheatre, Australian National Botanic Gardens. 12:30pm, Friday, 
26 February 2016.

Please bring a picnic rug or something to sit on.

Published in The Canberra Times on Feb. 20, 2016

- See more at: http://tributes.canberratimes.com.au/obituaries/canberratimes-au/obituary.aspx?n=benj-whitworth&pid=177772247#sthash.fsr6fXtg.dpuf