Australia's wild places lost a stout-hearted friend with the recent passing of Chris Baxter. A prolific rock climber and life-long bushwalker, Chris is best known for his work as co-founder of Wild and Rock magazines. But he was much more than a climbing legend turned self-made publisher. His passion for the bush whirled from deep within. He took nature seriously and was fearless in defending its freedoms. Yet for all his imposing presence Chris was also a steadfast and encouraging spirit. For nearly 30 years - and through thick and thin - he remained a loyal supporter of my writing. I owe him a lot and I'll miss the phone calls out of the blue - calls full of news, declarations, gossip, flights of rhetoric and that wonderful booming voice on the other end of the line.
 |
| Chris Baxter at Hanging Rock in 2006 - with the kind of sign that inflames the ire of free spirits everywhere. |
