Passing of Mel Galbraith

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Mel Galbraith on Thursday 28 September, surrounded by his family, following a short battle with cancer. 

Mel was a long-standing Council member of Birds New Zealand, and much valued as an active leader in Auckland ornithology, having been a previous Regional Representative. He was a great advocate for nature, and a mentor to students as a Senior Lecturer at Unitec Institute of Technology, and to those beginning their careers in the natural sciences. He has been a leader in a number of ecological restorations, and in the founding of a number of organisations including Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi, the Motu Kaikoura Trust and Miranda Naturalist Trust, and as past President of the New Zealand Ecological Society. 

His warmth and generosity will be sorely missed. Birds New Zealand send our deepest condolences and aroha to Mel’s family. 

Mel’s funeral service details are as follows:

St Mary’s Church, Onewa Rd, Northcote, Auckland
11am, Thursday 5th October

A live-stream is available via https://www.dils.co.nz/tributes/?funeral=OoVAL  

The Auckland branch of Birds New Zealand will hold a remembrance for Mel at our in-person November meeting.