Tim Holding – Lost on Feathertop
Some comments …
Raymond Kelley of Yallourn North Victoria Posted at 7:54 AM September 01, 2009
It is obvious that bush walking can be dangerous. If a boat owner wants to go out into the open ocean he must
have flares and be able to communicate with the mainland In my opinion Bush walkers should be equipped
likewise, and they should have a companion.
Pedro of Melbourne Posted at 7:54 AM September 01, 2009
I wish the searchers the best and safest of luck in their search. Whether it be the Minister or another individual
that has become lost in the wilderness, the efforts made by these rescuers, often putting their own safety at
some risk is admirable and they deserve all the plaudits they get. Let us hope the Minister is found safe and well,
as well as those who may get lost in the future.
John Posted at 8:06 AM September 01, 2009
The only way to search that place is with 1,000 plus people.
Amber of Armadale Posted at 8:06 AM September 01, 2009
By law they should be made to carry safety beacons.
Jeff James of Toorak Posted at 8:12 AM September 01, 2009
By law they should be made to walk in 2s.
Richo of Melbourne Posted at 9:01 AM September 01, 2009
He should have had this, he should of had that. You should walk in groups, you shouldn't walk when it's raining,
cold, hot. You should carry a epirb, flares. Man, you lot are a bunch of fun killers, I am glad I don't call any of you
lot when I want to venture out my front door.
R Posted at 9:01 AM September 01, 2009
Then there would be two people lost up there... we are already regulated far too much; perhaps we should have
a little more freedom from laws, provided we learn to accept the consequences.
Phil - Central VIC Posted at 9:01 AM September 01, 2009
By law. By Law. By Law.... Please! We have enough laws. Way too many in fact. Life is not worth living without
some risk. Give it a rest Nannies...
Jill of Altona Posted at 9:12 AM September 01, 2009
I entirely agree that all safety devices should be taken on board with you whether you are bush walking or going
out on a boat. The problem is that if you are unfortunate enough to become dysfunctional due to a disabling
injury, these safety devices are of no significance when you are by yourself. Mr. Holding's misadventure has
hopefully presented to us all a vital lesson about one of life's popular leisure activities, so let’s all pray that Mr.
Holding is found safely soon. The emergency services and people helping to look for Mr. Holding are doing a
brilliant job under wearisome circumstances and we can only hope that their hard work will be rewarded.
Andy Brown of Melbourne Posted at 9:12 AM September 01, 2009
Some say Bush walking/ Mountain climbing is dangerous but that is why people do it. It’s a chance to escape
and experience something truly wonderful. As an experienced walker/Mountain climber from the UK, survival in
these conditions is very possible assuming you have the right equipment and knowledge. Hoping Tim walks out
of there
EPIRBS-BEST INSURANCE Posted at 9:12 AM September 01, 2009
EPIRBS PEOPLE EPIRBS when you are going to walk in remote areas.
andrew of vic Posted at 9:12 AM September 01, 2009
Why no EPIRP safety device? Used one in Simpson Desert in June after motorbike accident. $750 has to be a lot
cheaper than the cost of this search .
Gabby of VIC Posted at 10:36 AM September 01, 2009
Great to hear he has survived, the region involved is very unforgiving, so perhaps he will not attempt another
trek like this again, alone on Mt Feathertop.
jeff of nambour Posted at 10:36 AM September 01, 2009
Found ALIVE. Well done Mr Holding..Now watch for the celebrity agents lining up...
Maneesh of Melbourne Posted at 10:36 AM September 01, 2009
Thank goodness !! Next time, can you please take some GPS satellite tracking device that constantly transmits
your exact location to the satellite !
Mary Beaumont of Melbourne Posted at 10:36 AM September 01, 2009
Hope he is going to pay his own rescue bill - or will the tax payers be hit once again ?
scott forbes of melbourne Posted at 10:36 AM September 01, 2009
now that he’s been found, probably never in any danger anyway if he is experienced, who is going to foot the bill
for the search? surely we the long suffering taxpayer of Victoria shouldn’t have to. If anything it should come out
of his pocket.
Adam Wyldeck Posted at 10:36 AM September 01, 2009
Couldn't agree more 'Phil - Central Vic'. The reality is that people will take risks, people will get lost and from
time to time, people will die. If you want to live in a totalitarian state, then why not just ban all forms of risk and
in the process, ban all forms of fun and freedom. People are quick to talk about compulsory measures as a knee
jerk reaction, but if you think about the consequences of such measures, the cons far outweigh the pros. Hope
everything turns out well for Mr Holding. The man is fit and well prepared. I'm sure he will be just fine.
graham of malvern Posted at 10:36 AM September 01, 2009
If all hikers were to carry an umpires type whistle with them it would certainly help if lost or injured. Also flares,
similar to road sign warning flares that emit bright red smoke and are available from disposal stores. If soccer
hooligans can get them, why can't bushwalkers?
politicians waste of taxpayers money Posted at 12:30 PM September 01, 2009
Why does a man who can walk to an ambulance need to be flown from Bright Hospital to Melbourne by Air
Ambulance?
js of melbourne Posted at 12:32 PM September 01, 2009
Great News. but who actually saw him first?? Victoria police chopper?, channel 7 chopper or channel 9 chopper
as claimed by them on 11am news. guess channel 10, ABC and SBS are lagging behind.
Len Da Hand of Taxpayer Posted at 12:32 PM September 01, 2009
Glad he is alive Now some questions.... 1. Has the minister ever heard of an EPIRB ? 2. Would the minister like to
provide a full briefing on his assessment of the risk assessment he undertook given the terrain, weather forecast
and him hiking alone? 3. Will the minister be reimbursing the taxpayers for the cost of the search, including ALL
medical treatment?
Marli Posted at 12:48 PM September 01, 2009
Let this be a lesson to even the most experienced...The Alps BY YOURSELF in winter is a pretty stupid idea. Let’s
hope he makes a substantial donation to the SES for their efforts
Samantha of Geelong Posted at 12:48 PM September 01, 2009
Suggestions that he pay for his rescue or will the tax payers wear the bill? aaahhhh he is a taxpayer. therefore he
has paid his fair share to 'foot' the bill for his rescue. Congrats to all involved and I'm glad he is safe and sound.
jordana Edwards of Glen Waverley Posted at 12:48 PM September 01, 2009
Ross of Sunshine West - that would involve moving around once he knew he was lost and that is a big no-no. if
you get lost in the bush you stay put and wait, you do not move around it just makes it harder for rescuers. And
as for the people saying he should pay for the rescue why? because he is a minister? if we do that then we
should charge every person who gets lost when they go bush walking
Abbie of Melbourne Posted at 2:30 PM September 01, 2009
Excellent news! So many critics - do you think we should wrap ourselves in cotton wool and hope to god nothing
bad happens to us. He made a mistake by not carrying a beacon - a lesson we have all now learnt.
ollie of the roo of Way over there Posted at 2:31 PM September 01, 2009
Good news, as Tourism Minister I wonder if he was thinking where the bloody hell am I??? Maybe it is a new
push for the Victorian Tourism industry...
David of Melbourne Posted at 2:42 PM September 01, 2009
People have previously died from 'shock' from exposure that’s why the flight to hospital - this is not unusual!
People the man is an idiot that’s a given but let’s not knock the care!
Vic Citizen Posted at 2:42 PM September 01, 2009
So who is going to pay for the rescue effort? 3 days @ $50K per day = $150K.
aaron of bacchus marsh Posted at 3:01 PM September 01, 2009
G.Parker, if it was you would it be a waste of taxpayer's money. i wish everyone would stop whinging about the
money it has cost to rescue Tim Holding. For god's sake, it was a person missing in one of the most beautiful but
dangerous locations to hike in winter. to me this is what we pay taxes for, to help our fellow people in time of
need. if you don’t like that then don’t work so you don’t have to pay tax. Just thank god Tim is alive and well.
tracey of melb Posted at 3:01 PM September 01, 2009
the Epirb emergency location beacons cost approx $700+ !they should make them cheaper-government discount
for bushwalkers, sailors etc. people often only go bush walking once a year hence not buying them. The satellite
phones also cost a prohibitive $2000+
Jeff of Wodonga Posted at 3:01 PM September 01, 2009
Some of you people have the attention span of flies and the generosity of a fart in a lift. the rescue effort is
pretty similar to one mounted three weeks ago for a member of the general public with a broken ankle whose
location was known.
The Champ of Geelong Posted at 4:00 PM September 01, 2009
All the people whinging about how much it cost and how he should have to pay for search out of his own
pocket - Get a life. My money was well spent if this man was found alive!! I'd only hope you would offer the man
a warm drink and a blanket if he stumbled to your front door or would that cost you to much as well?
Mr. Brown of Melbourne Posted at 4:54 PM September 01, 2009
This sets a bad example to others and shows how irresponsible Tim Holding is. Tim Holding knows better than to
go off on a hike like that in those conditions on his own. My advice to the public is not to follow in the footsteps
of someone so foolish, trying to be a hero. It also shows he has a misplaced opinion of his ability, which is a
worry considering his position. and as for champ of Geelong. I object to spending my money on this foolish act
and demand he pays for the cost. Where is the accountability.
Tina Hubery Posted at 5:02 PM September 01, 2009
You all sit in judgement of Tim. If he were "Joe Citizen" no one would, whinge, bitch and moan about the cost of
the rescue. Let him have some R and R and let him tell us what happened. At the end of the day, when he walks
out of his office, he is just like you and I. He is someone’s son and partner. HE IS HUMAN AND HUMANS MAKE
MISTAKES. Glad to see you safe and well Tim .
Captain Obvious of Melbourne Posted at 5:12 PM September 01, 2009
What a hero. What a man. What a politician. What an action man. What a rescue. What a media beat up. What a
complete toss.
Libby Hall of Northeast Victoria Posted at 5:18 PM September 01, 2009
I wonder lf l got lost would they send out the army for me? Somehow l don't think so. Two sets of standards.
Anyway anyone with any brains knew that the weather last weekend was going to be bad, and lf you had any
common sense going up to Mount Feathertop would be a really stupid thing to do. This man is suppose to make
important decisions on our behalf, well well we are in this State is in a bad way.
Clark of Here Posted at 5:18 PM September 01, 2009
To all those who complain about the cost being borne by Taxpayers - Yeah that is what we do. As a society we
fund rescue services for those who need it. Do you think Tim Holding does not pay Tax? What the..?
sarah Posted at 5:24 PM September 01, 2009
You can hire an emergency beacon for substantially less cost (under $100) than buying one ($700+). Well worth
the cost of hiring - as an emergency services person said, Holding could have been saved on Sunday afternoon
had he had one.
Tanya of Country Vic Posted at 5:24 PM September 01, 2009
Firstly - I'm not a holding fan BUT why are most people here begrudging his rescue because of his job ? Or
because of how much it cost to rescue someone? How many of you sat at home and wished they would call the
rescue off and let him die because he is a pollie or because it is too expensive to send out a search party???? Is
that what you would want if it was you?
Simon of Ballarat Posted at 5:31 PM September 01, 2009
How many would they send to find you and me? Certainly not 80+
Dave of Melbourne Posted at 5:36 PM September 01, 2009
Although I'm glad he has been found, he was an idiot for going off on his own in such bad weather conditions
without an eperb etc. I don't necessarily agree with him paying for the rescue but he should be shouting the SES
volunteers etc who gave up their time to go out looking for him. He is very lucky but should never have put
himself in that position in the first place.
Darren of South Morang Posted at 5:42 PM September 01, 2009
How inept are the SES, police, searchers, etc? A media helicopter found him when they couldn't.
Rob of Box Hill Posted at 5:48 PM September 01, 2009
To all those whingers who say that Tim Holding should pay for his rescue well what about the times that you or
other members of the public use public services (e.g.Police / Fire brigade etc). Should you then not pay as well!
Maybe we should make it "user pays" for everything and then let’s see how we would continue to access the
services we now take for granted. Just because he is high profile, it does not mean you should belittle his
situation by going for cheap shots. Just be grateful that he is alive and then move on and for God's sake show
compassion!