DR PAUL MEES OAM, 1961-2013
Statement by the Public Transport Users Association
26 January 2014
The Public Transport Users Association is pleased to note today’s awarding of the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia to Dr Paul Mees, who died sadly in June 2013 after a battle with cancer.
Paul Mees had a long involvement with the Association and was its President from 1992 to 2001. Paul deserves much of the credit for inspiring the Association, and the broader sustainable transport advocacy movement in Australia, with a robust strategic vision together with strong intellectual leadership.
Paul continued his advocacy work outside the Association after 2001 and was pivotal in raising the political profile of public transport to the point where the issue now decides Victorian elections. In his final public address last June, only a short time before he died, Paul emphasised the threat posed to Victoria’s public transport renaissance by the diversion of funds to the East West Link road project.
Paul’s camaraderie and insights on the Australian transport debate are highly valued and sorely missed by the Association. We offer our congratulations and support to Paul’s wife Erica, his family and friends.
Below is the video of Paul’s last appearance — a message recorded for the Trains Not Tollroads public meeting in June 2013: