Vale Naomi Raftery

Posted on 16 September, 2024 by Lori

It is with regret and sadness that we report the death of Naomi Raftery.

From 2011 to 2017, Connecting Country was extremely fortunate to have Naomi’s unwavering support and commitment towards achieving its conservation objectives – originally as a hardworking volunteer and member, and then also as a part-time staff member. Naomi was the unsung hero behind the smooth running of field days, guest speaker events, committee meetings, restoration activities, and much more that Connecting Country undertook over this busy period.

In her humble way, she was invariably generous, friendly, patient, diligent, and insightful, and took steps to ensure that no-one would feel excluded or under-appreciated. Naomi demonstrated a strong sense of fairness, social justice and ethical behaviour – and inspired her colleagues and others she met to raise their game.

Naomi was also a Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests (FOBIF) committee member for several years, and secretary from 2014-2018. In that period Naomi was an important part of all of FOBIF’s work, including their publications, and especially in the running of their children’s programs.

She exemplified the best qualities of an environmental activist: idealism and hard headedness, tolerance and firmness, thoughtfulness and good humour.

Connecting Country, and many other organisations in Castlemaine and beyond, benefited from her passion for grassroots collaboration. She knew the power of community groups to take meaningful steps at a local level towards making the wider world a better place. Naomi was always among the first to put up her hand to offer help.

Her contribution and legacy is enormous, and she’ll be greatly missed. We extend our sympathy to her husband Sean and daughter Sophie.

(Words by Marie Jones, photos from Bronwyn Silver and Connecting Country archives)