Vale Anders Bofeldt - rare plant specialist - Illawarra

A memorial tree planting service was to be held in Wollongong this morning, to honour the life of Anders Bofeldt - a legend amongst the native plant enthusiasts of the Illawarra Region. 


Unfortunately I never met the man, but I have heard much about him - from the founding members of the Robertson Environment Protection Society (REPS). 


Anders assisted them with plant surveys of the Cool Temperate Rainforest which makes up what is left of the Yarrawa Brush. Although the locals did an enormous amount of researching, physical searching, writing and illustrating to produce that booklet, Anders' authoritative knowledge underpinned the scientific accuracy of the book which became "The Guide to the Yarrawa Brush". It was published by REPS, and is now available on the web.


Anders worked as a botanist at the Wollongong Botanic Gardens. He was a contributer to the Illawarra  Biodiversity Strategy. He also contributed to many Species profiles on the Threatened Species of NSW Plants. He prepared the species list for Bellambi Lagoon. 


This is the cached version of the Funeral notice published by H. Parsons Funeral Directors.
"Taken from us suddenly on June 30, 2011 of Balgownie.  Beloved son of Birgite and the late Leif.  Loved brother & brother-in-law of John and Kim.   Loved uncle of Amielle, Jaylen.  Loving partner of Natalie. Anders will be sadly missed by his loving family and many dear friends here, in Sweden and  New Zealand.
Aged 46 Years.
Anders is now at peace and Forever in our Hearts.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Anders funeral service to be held in the chapel, Parsons Funeral Home, 34 Belmore St Wollongong on Tuesday at 10:00am.   In lieu of flowers donations to Rainforest Rescue Daintree buy- back would be appreciated."

Apparently the ceremony this morning was to include a planting of a "White Beech" Gmelina leichhardtii one of Anders' favourite rare native trees of the Illawarra region. 

Thanks to Nick Rheinberger for broadcasting an interview about Anders this morning on ABC Local Radio 97.3.