Greens statement to members on the death of Jeremy Ball

Dear friends,

It's with great sadness that we have to inform you of the death of a valued colleague, friend and long-term Green: Jeremy Ball.

Jeremy was tragically killed in an accident with the log-truck at Carrick that has been reported in the media over the past 24 hours.

Jeremy was a long-term member and then after 2011 a supporter of the Greens, becoming active when he returned to Launceston in 2002 after years of working and living abroad.

He worked on Kim Booth's 2002 successful election campaign and continued to work for him for many years, stood for the Greens at federal, state and council elections, and went on to become a councillor and then independent deputy-mayor of Launceston Council.

An actor and community activist, one of his most recent projects involved devising and coordinating a jobs program to help refugees and migrants in Launceston get on their feet.

As a councillor and then deputy mayor, Jeremy championed the arts, social enterprise, regional and local economics and improved systems and designs knowledge.

A popular and energetic Greens member and council representative, he will be sorely missed by people in Launceston but also the wider Tasmanian community.

Our deepest sympathies and support go to Jeremy's wife Karina, sons Griffin and Jasper, his parents John and Caroline, and all of his family.

Christine Milne, Kim Booth, Peter Whish-Wilson, Cassy O'Connor, Nick McKim, Bob Brown, Peg Putt, Austra Maddox.