Sydney Olympic Park Authority executive dies in surfing accident

Andrew Ferris, Executive Manager of Parklands & Asset Maintenance with the Sydney Olympic Park Authority, died last weekend as a result of an accident while surfing.

In a tribute to Ferris, Parks Forum Chief Executive Dave Clarke today issued a statement that read "Andrew had been in the parks industry in NSW for more than 25 years where he displayed relentless commitment to park best practice and enhancing the park visitor experience.

"He was appointed as the Director of Parklands with the Sydney Olympic Park Authority in September 2004 after serving as Manager (of) Operations for many years with the Centennial Parklands and prior as a Parkland Manager with Sydney's Ku-ring-gai Council.

"Parks Forum Trustee Peter Duncan, a friend and colleague who worked with Andrew at both Ku-ring-gai Council and Centennial Parklands, remembers that 'Andrew was always very professional and extremely well liked by staff and customers alike in all of the organisations he worked in. His passing is an enormous loss to the parks industry.'

"Andrew was also an early leader at Parks Forum through its early development, serving on the Performance and Benchmarking Committee, and contributing his management expertise to peer reviews.

"In regard to Andrew's immediate past work, David Young, General Manager, Operations & Sustainability at Sydney Olympic Park Authority, said this week that 'during Andrew's watch over the Parklands at Sydney Olympic Park the place has blossomed, incrementally transforming it from a relatively unknown place to one of the more popular Sydney weekend destinations for cycling, childrens play, and other family leisure exploits.

"'A highlight for Andrew was closely overseeing the further development of the Parklands including the highlight of opening the new Blaxland Riverside Park and within it probably the greatest regional playground in Australia.

"'Andrew will remain part of Sydney Olympic Park and the wider parks industry, and his legacy will remain through the enhancement to the Parklands he oversaw.'"

Clarke added "many of us in Australia and New Zealand were colleagues and friends of Andrew, and we will miss his sharp mind, easy-going nature, sense of humour and generosity of spirit.

"On behalf of the many people who knew and worked with Andrew over the years, we extend our sincere condolences to his wife and two sons, friends and colleagues."

Alongside his work and family, surfing was one of Andrew's great passions.

Sydney Northern Beaches newspaper, The Manly Daily, reported that Ferris died despite "exceptional" efforts by lifesavers from the Narrabeen Beach Surf Life Saving Club.

Image: Andrew Ferris playing football in his younger days.