Last month Mr Jurskis launched the book in Melbourne, followed more recently with a launch at Sydney’s Parliament House last Tuesday October 13, and locally at the Eden Fishermen’s Club last Friday October 16.

Mr Jurskis said the Parliament House launch was well attended, but he was disappointed with the absence of key politicians who were on the invitation list.

“State Minister for Emergency Services David Elliott sent an apology as did the Commissioner of the Rural Fire Service,” Mr Jurskis said. “But there was no response from the State Minister for the Environment Mark Speakman or the CEO of National Parks & Wildlife Service.”

“Firestick Ecology: fairdinkum science in plain English” explores and promotes the traditional use of fire as a way of keeping the continent fire-proof, moving from Aboriginal practice and precolonial history through to the mega fires of modern times.

Although some invitees found the subject too hot to handle, others offered glowing praise including the Honorable Robert Brown – Leader of the Shooters and Fishers Party – who helped launch the book at Parliament House and made special mention of Jurskis’ work in parliament the following day, Wednesday October 14.

“The book calls upon us to re-evaluate our current land management practices so that they are more in line with tried-and-true methods used by indigenous peoples for the past 40,000 years,” Mr Brown said. “Many lives could be saved by returning to this style of management. A book like Vic Jurskis’ Firestick Ecology is a road map for just that.”

The support continued at the launch at the Eden Fishermen’s Club last Friday October 16. Hosted by the South East Timber Association and with long-serving fire control officer Phil Collins launching the book, the event was attended by over 50 people. 

Mr Collins related some of his experiences such as the devastating 1952 fires that scorched the entire region and cost five lives, and emphasized that Wonboyn had been saved from calamity in the 1972 Nadgee fire by hazard reduction burning.

Mr Jurskis acknowledged Mr Collins’ great contribution to fire management, and spoke about other matters during the launch of his book.

“All our real environmental problems are caused by green academics with wilderness between the ears,” Mr Jurskis said. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s State Forest, National Park or private property. The reason we’re losing biodiversity is that it’s being choked out by scrub because we’re not burning or grazing enough.”

Mr Jurskis was delighted with the turn out, and the keen audience for his words.

“There were plenty of local identities there,” Mr Jurskis said. “And I was surprised with how many books we sold. It includes lots of people who came with books they’d already bought online that they wanted autographed.”

For related story see:

http://www.edenmagnet.com.au/story/3410256/trail-blazer-firestick-ecology-book-launch/