Harry Stead: Parents and siblings issue heartbreaking statement after death of ‘larger than life’ firefighter

The grieving family of a young volunteer firefighter who died while battling a Boxing Day blaze say they are “forever broken” with immense grief. Harry Stead was helping a neighbour fight an out-of-control fire about 60km west of Esperance when he lost his life on Tuesday morning. His mother and father Susanne and Simon Stead, and siblings Tom, Louisa and Charlie issued a statement on Wednesday as they grappled with the enormity of losing the 20-year-old. “Our hearts are broken, and our family is forever broken at the utter devastation of losing our beloved Harry,” they wrote. “We had all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Day with the extended family. From the oldest to the youngest, in-laws to outlaws, water fights and the annual cricket match - Harry made every part of the day fun. “We are immensely proud of Harry and all that he achieved and at 20 we thought it was just the beginning.” They described Harry as kind, fun-loving and active, and always there to help family, who he loved dearly, and the community. The bond he had with his three siblings was “truly beautiful”. “He had a big circle of friends and he touched many lives,” they said. “Harry was respectful with a beautiful, understated sense of humour. “He loved his mates and living life to the fullest. He loved dogs, coffee, Pepsi Max and Swan Draught. He loved boarding at Hale School and returned this year to work as a duty master in the boarding house. “He loved playing footy with the Wembley Cats and Hale while at boarding school, UWA Colts, and the Gibson Football Club where he and his two brothers had been planning that 2024 would be the first time they could play senior football together. “Harry, you will forever be in our hearts.” News of Harry’s death has been met with an outpouring of grief from across the nation and from overseas. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese extended his “deepest condolences to all those who knew and loved Harry Stead, the young volunteer firefighter who lost his life while helping a neighbour”. “To the Cascade and broader Esperance community, the DFES and all volunteers, our thoughts are with you. We are all very grateful for the work you do to keep us and our communities safe,” Mr Albanese said. Department of Fire and Emergency Services commissioner Darren Klemm said he could only imagine the pain and suffering Harry’s family, friends and colleagues - fellow members of the Coomalbidgup Bushfire Brigade - were dealing with. “Our thoughts are with you. Today is very much about thinking about this young man’s family and the difficult time they’re going through,” he said on Wednesday, adding that Harry’s efforts as a volunteer firefighter were nothing short of heroic. “They’re (volunteer firefighters) actually putting other people’s needs before their own. “It is an incredibly dangerous job they undertake. It is particularly challenging and it’s not lost on either me or the State Government or indeed other firefighters, be they paid or volunteer.” Commissioner Klemm confirmed Harry had been a registered volunteer with the Coomalbidgup Bushfire Brigade for two to three years, and had been with other crew members on a private fire appliance taken from his family’s farm. But he declined to comment further on the circumstances around Harry’s death, saying police would go through that with their investigation. “There’ll be lessons, there’s always lessons in bushfires that we respond to,” he said. “I do know they were dealing with particularly difficult weather conditions down there … a really strong northerly breeze which created a lot of issues for them.” Ben Macnamara, chief executive of CBH Group, which is chaired by Harry’s father, said the grain handling cooperative was deeply saddened to hear the tragic news. “Our hearts go out to the Stead family and the Esperance community – words cannot express our sadness for this devastating loss and we offer our deepest sympathy at this very tough time,” Mr Macnamara said. The University of Western Australia Football Club also sent its condolences, remembering Harry as a “larger than life character”. “Harry’s infectious personality was much adored, and it’s easy to see why he was so popular amongst the playing group,” club president Jake Colvin said. Australian fire brigades as well as overseas crews took to social media to offer their condolences to Harry’s grieving family. Many also updated their profile images with the thin red line flag — used to honour firefighters injured or killed while battling fires. Kwinana South Volunteer Bushfire Brigade wrote: “This hits close to home. Our thoughts are with the volunteer firefighter’s family at this time.” Northern Fire WoRx, a leading private fire company in Canada wrote: “From the great white north to the land down under, our sincere condolences for this tragic loss of life of the volunteer firefighter.” Shire of Esperance president Ron Chambers offered his condolences to the Stead family, saying: “Our hearts are broken”. Premier Roger Cook described Harry’s death as an absolute tragedy. Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said: “(We’re) very, very sorry about the loss of life and that a young man has lost his life protecting Western Australian homes and people”. In Victoria, the Basin Fire Brigade said Harry’s death was “a devastating loss that will be felt across our big emergency services family”. The blaze started about 8.15am on Tuesday near Neds Corner Road and Yerritup Road in Coomalbidgup and had burnt more than 7000ha by 6pm that day. The police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Harry’s death, including his involvement in the response to the fire, is ongoing. The Stead family said they were heartened by the outpouring of grief and messages of condolences they had received.