Rasta Kemp, 24, already had son Oliver, 2, with Ebony Clark and they had been preparing for their second child.

The Benalla man died last Wednesday at the D & R Henderson sawmill and particleboard plant, where he had been a labour hire employee.

CFMEU assistant secretary Andrew Vendramini said Mr Kemp had not had a chance to tell his workmates of the miscarriage, so they thought he was an expectant father at the time of his death.

Mr Vendramini has been assisting Ms Clark, ensuring she receives Mr Kemp’s entitlements. 

“Talking to his partner yesterday he was a loving, caring partner,” Mr Vendramini said.

“He used to call Ebony during his lunch break.

“The two-year-old looked forward to him coming home, every day at 4 o’clock he knew he was coming and Ebony said she had noticed a change in the baby’s behaviour since the day of what happened.

“He was a loving dad and caring partner.” 

Investigations are continuing into Mr Kemp’s death, which is believed to have occurred when his body became caught in a machine.

WorkSafe Victoria officers were speaking on Tuesday to workers who had been in the same shed as Mr Kemp, Mr Vendramini said.

Meanwhile, a survivor of a fatal gas outbreak at the Norske Skog paper mill on May 24, has rallied.

The parents of Tom Johnson told of their son’s resurgence in a statement released by Albury hospital on Tuesday.

“Tom has made remarkable progress over the past week,” they said.

“He has now been taken off life support and is in a stable condition.

“Tom is showing all the signs of a complete recovery to the point where he is now driving the nurses up the wall!”

Tom’s parents said it had been a “gruelling” 11 days but their thoughts were also with the loved ones of Ben Pascall and Lyndon Quinlivan who died due to gas exposure at the Ettamogah mill.

“Our family extends our deepest sympathies to Ben and Lyndon’s families and friends,” they said.

“Our thoughts and Tom’s thoughts are with you all.”

The couple ended their statement with thanks to Albury hospital staff for taking care of them and their son and “patience and understanding”.

Mr Pascall’s funeral was held on Monday, while Mr Quinlivan will be farewelled on Wednesday.

The media has been requested not to attend the father-of-two’s funeral.

Meanwhile, donations for the bereaved families and Mr Johnson are being taken through two funds.

In addition to a webpage appeal established by the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, Norske Skog has opened an account at ANZ Bank which is taking donations from fellow workers and the public.

Contributions can be made at the Albury and Lavington ANZ branches or online to the NS family fund with BSB 012 505 and account number 234 269 715.

Mill manager Milo Foster said money raised would be matched by Norske Skog and shared four ways to Mr Quinlivan’s wife and children, Mr Pascall’s family and Mr Johnson.

Mr Vendramini said a decision about fundraising for Mr Kemp’s loved ones had yet to be made, with the issue to be subject to a discussion with his workmates.

Funeral details for Mr Kemp are also to be finalised.

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