MEMBERS of the Save Flinders Pier campaign are mourning the loss of one of the Mornington Peninsula’s most respected environmentalists, Trent Williams.
Williams’ death has dealt a blow to the Flinders community as it campaigns to save the town’s historic pier.
The Mornington-based educator and marine biologist died two weeks ago while scuba diving near Port Phillip Heads. Williams was one of the leaders of the Save Flinders Pier campaign, regularly organising volunteers to clean the Flinders beach, and leading groups of scuba divers to remove debris from the water and sea bed beneath the pier.
A keen underwater photographer, Williams photographed the Flinders pier structure as part of the group’s own independent condition report.
Chairperson for the Save Flinders Campaign, Charles Reis, said the group was still dealing with the loss of a good friend.
“Trent was there at our first public meeting in May last year and immediately signed on to do whatever he could to save the pier and protect the marine habitat,” he said.
“He was a highly regarded scuba diver and advocate for protecting our marine environment.
“He brought energy, experience, knowledge and wisdom to our campaign, and we could never have achieved what we did without him.
“All of us who volunteered alongside Trent learnt so much from him; and his legacy is that we now better understand the importance and urgency of protecting the ecology of our oceans and its precious sea life.”
Williams had a long association with the Sea Shepherd organisation, leading its marine debris team of volunteers focussed on keeping the peninsula’s bays and waterways clear of litter.
He is survived by his parents Rod and Nola, and three children Ella, Ethan and Keely.
First published in the Western Port News – 19 April 2022