By Tania Martin
FOR most, a love of nature doesn’t stretch past childhood and the misadventures of climbing trees, but for Richard Kruithof it’s been a lifelong passion.
The Emerald Lake Park ranger has just been rewarded for his passion for the environment with a P.B. Ronald Trust award.
He was one of seven award winners announced at the trust’s annual dinner on Tuesday 18 March at the Pakenham football pavilion.
The trust award was set up more than 17 years ago to perpetuate the memory of former shire president and community icon, the late Peter Ronald.
It was formed to assist young people to further their education in agriculture, horticulture and local government.
It was first established in 1991 with the support of the Pakenham Rotary Club, Pakenham Racing Club and the Pakenham Agricultural Society.
Mr Kruithof said winning the award was fantastic and a great opportunity to be recognised for his work with the environment.
As part of the award he received a cash prize to further his studies.
It didn’t take Mr Kruithof long as he has already spent his money on books.
“What’s great about the books is that I’m always going to have them not just for my studies but for well beyond that,” he said.
For Mr Kruithof a childhood love of trees and the environment soon grew into a lifelong passion.
After leaving school at 16, Mr Kruithof started an apprenticeship in agriculture.
But it is no surprise to him that he ended up working as a park ranger.
“I was always going to work with the environment. It was just a natural progression for me,” he said.
Mr Kruithof has now worked in the agricultural industry for the past 22 years with the last five of those at Emerald Lake Park.
He is now the senior ranger at the park and is looking forward to finishing his diploma in abor-culture, a study of trees, in September.
As a park ranger Mr Kruithof is responsible for looking after the horticulture and environment of Emerald Lake Park.
“We are responsible for making the park safe for both people and the environment,” he said.
As a child, Mr Kruithof, always had a love of adventure and being outside.
“I just loved nature and plants and this is where I have ended up,” he said.
After more than seven years of study, he will finish his diploma this year and hopes to turn his talents to the tree management field.
