Vale David Prast

It was with the greatest sadness to learn that David Prast died recently at his home in Sydney. David was the most outstanding advocate both for those with spinal cord injury and for researchers striving to understand this devastating condition and to find ways to promote neurological recovery and reduce its impact. David's passion and enthusiasm touched us all, never once faltering in his mission to increase awareness and put the needs of those living with spinal cord injury right to the fore. David set the bar extremely high, always doing what he said he would do and thereby achieving his lofty goals. He thus accomplished much, his influence being far reaching both nationally and internationally. He was a key player in many ventures including setting up the first State Government Neurotrauma Research Program in Western Australia, being a Director of Spinal Cure and subsequently of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, pioneering the International Campaign to Cure Paralysis, being involved with the Spinal Cord Injury Network and also recently setting up Walk On in a number of states in Australia. David also visited labs and attended many scientific conferences both at home and overseas inspiring and challenging many of us as researchers and clinicians to take bold steps in the quest to make a difference. As a person, David was so wonderfully warm and generous, always, always seeing the positive side and gracing everybody with his more than winning smile. David's legacy and the work and will go on, but far too early have we lost a dynamic force and a dear friend. Our thoughts are with his wife Michelle and his family.

Sarah Dunlop, President ANS (Australian Neuroscience Society).