Ex-Buninyong man falls to his death

Updated November 5 2012 - 2:19pm, first published April 11 2007 - 12:42pm

A TRAGIC bushwalking accident in Tasmania claimed the life of former Buninyong man and father-of-two Mick Skirka at the weekend.
Mr Skirka, 38, was born in Ballarat and grew up in Buninyong before moving to Tasmania to study in 1994.
His wife Louise Harrison yesterday described Mr Skirka as a man who was passionate about his work as an exploration geologist and his two young boys Angus, two, and Hamish one.
"He loved them enormously and put everything into the boys," Ms Harrison said.
"He was extremely bright, a very positive person, he loved life and loved the outdoors and nature and was very passionate about his work, about everything really."
Mr Skirka died after falling from a cliff as he descended down the Federation Peak summit track.
Climbing Federation Peak had been one of Mr Skirka's ambitions.
His wife recalled a flight the pair took over the peak and his wish to get a closer look.
Mr Skirka had scaled the 1244m summit with a walking partner on Sunday and was making his way down when the accident occurred about 2.30pm.
Ms Harrison said her husband was an experienced walker who loved spending time outdoors and in the bush.
She said the pair, who met in Ballarat about 20 years ago, moved back to Tasmania to live in 2003 after spending several years in central New South Wales.
A funeral for Mr Skirka will be held in Tasmania on Friday.
A memorial service will be held in Ballarat at a later date.

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