Volunteer WA firefighter killed in line of duty honoured by his local football club

The former footy club of a volunteer WA firefighter who died battling bushfires near Esperance four months ago has played a tribute round in his honour.

Harry Stead would have played his first year as a senior with the UWA club on Saturday.

There was a minute’s silence for a mate who should have been on the field alongside his team.

There was a minute’s silence for Harry Stead, who should have been on the field alongside his team.

The former footy club of a volunteer WA firefighter who died battling bushfires near Esperance four months ago has played a tribute round in his honour.

This would have been the 20-year-old’s fourth year playing with the UWA footy club but instead, they a round held in his memory.

Stead’s best friend Charlie Carrington-Jones said the round in his mate’s honour was a no-brainer.

“[For] someone like Harry, it had to be done because he was just such a big person in this community and so many people loved him so much, including myself,” Carrington-Jones told 9News.

Harry died a hero on Boxing Day last year, while volunteering to fight a fire on a neighbour’s property near Esperance in the Great Southern region.

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Harry died a hero on Boxing Day last year, while volunteering to fight a fire on a neighbour’s property near Esperance in the Great Southern region.

“To have a kid that’s around 19, 20 years of age just put his hand up to help without even asking that holds a lot of weight with me,” Jake Colvin, UWA Football Club President told 9News.

His mates today remembering him as someone committed to community and generous to a fault.

“Selfless, very generous. He was the perfect best friend in every way possible,” Carrington-Jones said.

His mates today remembering him as someone committed to community and generous to a fault.

His absence on the field was felt by his teammates.

“[Harry was] not the tallest, not the biggest but he was lightning quick and never gave in at any point in any game,” Carrington-Jones said.

“Always happy to be there, played with a smile on his face the whole time.”

Sam West agreed, saying Stead brought “so much energy and so much passion” to the game.

The club is rallying to give back for a man who gave so much to them.

“Whatever grade he played, he would’ve been very popular, made friends and the team would’ve been better off for having him for sure,” Colvin said.

The club is rallying to give back for a man who gave so much to them.

“We’re always here for the Stead family whatever they need and we just hope that they know that they have all the support of everyone at the UWA football club,” Charlie said.