27 December 2014

Wiremu (Lee) and Marsella Edmonds were selected in early January by the Rotorua Daily Post as the Rotorua community's "People of the Year".  Following the death of their son Robert Ruri-Epapara in a forestry accident two years ago, they have become passionate advocates for forest safety.

Wiremu (Lee) and Marsella Edmonds would always say to their children that one day, the world was going to know who they were. What they didn't anticipate was the way the world would remember Robert after his death. 

His death was the catalyst for a chain of events which has seen the couple quit their day jobs, and launch a campaign to try to stop more forestry deaths occurring among bush workers and contractors.

Rotorua Daily Post editor Kim Gillespie said the Edmonds had to be admired for their efforts in turning their personal tragedy into something that could have wide-ranging, positive effects. "The way Marsella and Wiremu have worked through their grief to help others is inspiring."

This year they've been the keynote speakers at 78 events, run 26 leadership programmes, dealt with more than 52 companies and spoken to more than 8000 people sharing their story and putting a focus on forest safety both here and overseas. Mr Edmonds said it wasn't something they ever imagined themselves doing.

Wiremu was a speaker at the launch of the Independent Forest Safety Review Panel Report in October. 

Source: Daily Post, Rotorua. To read the full story >> and the associated editorial >>