A life of service: honouring CFA worker Simon Lund and the battle for justice after his death

Simon Lund’s life was defined by service. As a proud Australian Services Union (ASU) member and a dedicated employee of the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Simon spent over two decades protecting communities across Victoria. 

But despite his unwavering commitment to public safety, Simon’s final year was marked by a devastating cancer diagnosis, as well as an uphill battle for recognition and justice under a system that ultimately failed him.

Tragically, Simon passed away on Monday, 12th May 2025, from stage 4 oesophageal cancer. He was just fifty-six years old.

A career dedicated to community safety and the day his life changed

As a CFA Senior Technical Field Officer, Simon played a critical behind-the-scenes role in some of the most catastrophic fires in Victoria’s history, including Black Saturday, Black Summer, and the toxic Hazelwood Mine fire.

Outside of work, Simon was a husband, a father to three adult children, and a cherished member of the Latrobe Valley community. His wife, Tracie Lund, is a Latrobe City councillor known for her own service through Foodbank and the local Neighbourhood House.  Together, they lived a life enriched in their community.

But in March 2024, Simon knew that something was wrong after having trouble swallowing and persistent indigestion. After inconclusive tests locally in Traralgon, further investigation in Melbourne delivered a shattering diagnosis: stage 4 oesophageal cancer, a form of cancer linked to exposure to toxic substances. Sadly, his battle would be terminal and fast. 

"You never think it's going to happen to you," Simon said in a heartbreaking ABC interview shortly before his death. “It was like being slapped in the face with a wet fish.”

Simon’s role meant he spent long hours setting up incident control centres at disaster sites, frequently exposed to hazardous materials. During the 2014 Hazelwood Mine fire, he even recalled walking into a smoke-filled training building with nearly zero visibility. 

Unlike other firefighters on the frontline, technical and support staff like Simon weren’t issued with full breathing apparatus. They were given only basic PS2 masks.

It’s now clear that Simon’s occupational exposure played a significant role in his illness. An independent oncologist stated there was a "sufficient probability" that years of inhaling smoke, dust, fumes, and ash had likely contributed to the development of his cancer.

CFA worker Simon Lund with his wife, Tracie.

Occupational exposure and the fight for compensation 

Despite this expert opinion from the independent oncologist, Simon was initially denied compensation.

Although Simon worked alongside firefighters, breathing the same toxic smoke and responding to the same emergencies, his role wasn’t recognised under the current presumptive legislation. 

Simon’s official title fell under ‘IT and technical services,’ so his claim was excluded from presumptive rights, which meant that he couldn’t receive automatic support or legal protection.

This meant the burden of proof shifted entirely onto Simon and his family. Instead of the state disproving a connection between his work and his illness, Simon had to prove it. With his health rapidly deteriorating, he was forced to compile decades of evidence, including photos, call-out records, fire conditions, and even payslips, to show that he’d been on the frontlines and exposed to the cancer-causing substances.

“It was exhausting,” Simon said. “We should have been spending that time together as a family, not chasing paperwork.”

After such an administrative toll, Simon and his family turned to Maurice Blackburn for support because of our proven expertise in occupational disease claims. 

We were able to have the rejection overturned, and the claim accepted. However, the emotional and physical cost of getting to that point, while fighting a terminal illness, left a permanent mark.

A broken system in need of reform

Simon’s story has become a catalyst for change. In his final months, he and his wife, Tracie, turned their grief into advocacy. They called for the expansion of presumptive rights legislation to include the many professional, technical, and administrative staff who are often at the frontlines, yet still fall through the cracks.

“The only way our family can make any sense of it is to channel that anger, that despair, the fear and the dread into something positive,” Tracie said. “To try and make some change for all the staff that will come after us.”

Honouring Simon’s legacy and continuing the fight

Even while he battled cancer, Simon still found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He fulfilled a lifelong dream by buying a Holden SS Crewman Ute and looked forward to drives to Traralgon’s local ice cream shop with Tracie. He also made lasting memories with his family during a “yes” holiday to New Zealand—a trip that was filled with laughter, rough seas, and a special reminder of his Navy days.

The Governor-General recently awarded Simon the National Service Medal in recognition of his service. But according to his family, what meant the most to him were the messages from colleagues, friends, and community members expressing what he had meant to them.

Simon Lund died surrounded by his family in early May 2025. The grief is still raw, especially for Tracie, who announced his death with a powerful tribute:

“He lived with his heart wide open and was determined to leave something meaningful behind, and he has. His legacy is powerful. We are so incredibly proud of him.”

Simon’s story is a tragic reminder that systems built to protect workers often fail the very people who give the most. It is also a call to action: for better protections, fairer laws, and a recognition that service comes in many forms, not all of which fit neatly into policy definitions.

Legal support for Emergency workers

The ASU is committed to honouring Simon’s legacy and continuing the push for reform so that no other emergency worker endures what he and his family went through.

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury, navigating the legal process can be complex. That is why it’s crucial to have access to a specialised team of legal experts. Our injury lawyers are here to support you in a way that best suits your needs.

Strict time limits can apply, so it’s important to act quickly.

Need help with a claim? Our experienced injury lawyers at Maurice Blackburn specialise in helping emergency workers and their families secure fair justice. Contact us today to find out how we can help you.