Australian Geographic Society awards adventure and conservation

The Australian Geographic Society (AGS) last night held its annual awards ceremony, an event which acknowledged 2016’s most remarkable Australians in the fields of adventure and conservation. Hosted by Ray Martin, the ceremony brought together past winners, adventurers, scientists, conservationists and enthusiasts to celebrate the achievements of this year’s award winners.

The event featured special guest speaker Dr David Suzuki, a legendary conservationist who received the society’s Honorary Lifetime of Conservation Award for his work explaining science and nature to millions through internationally screened television series. Also in attendance was the founder of the Australian Geographic journal and patron of the Australian Geographic Society, Dick Smith.

The 2016 award winners are listed below.

Lifetime of Adventure Award: Ron Allum

Ron Allum is renowned as a record-breaking cave diver and was part of the 1988 society-sponsored expedition team that was trapped underground when a rainstorm hit the Nullarbor Plain. The radio system rigged up by Ron, a former ABC radio engineer, was essential to the team’s escape. He also designed the Deepsea Challenger, a submersible that US director James Cameron piloted to the bottom of the Marianas Trench in 2012.

Lifetime of Conservation Award: Robyn Williams

After four decades as a science journalist and broadcaster with ABC Radio, Robyn Williams estimates that he has made 2040 broadcasts covering 14,280 stories and 7140 interviews with experts. He has also conducted countless interviews with experts on ABC TV on programs such as Quantum and Catalyst. Outside the ABC, Robyn has served as president of the Australian Museum Trust, chairman of the Commission for the Future and president of the Australian Science Communicators.

Conservationist of the Year: Tim Jarvis AM

Tim Jarvis is the only medallion recipient to be recognised in this category and also that of Adventurer of the Year, which he was awarded in 2013 following his re-enactment of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s 1916 epic Antarctic escape. In 2015 Tim led another team effort with his 25Zero project, which aims to highlight the retreat of glaciers on the world’s 25 equatorial mountains. As a result of climate change, Tim says these glaciers will be gone in 25 years.

Adventurer of the Year: Michael Smith

In 2015, Michael Smith made a daring journey across 25 countries to become the first person to pilot an amphibious aircraft on a solo circumnavigation of the world. He had originally planned to journey between Australia and England, but after arriving in London, Michael yearned for more. Rather than a few months, the expedition turned into a record-breaking, seven-month journey: 210 days, 25 countries, 80 stops and 480 hours flying.

Young Adventurer of the Year: Jade Hameister

Jade Hameister climbed Mt Kosciuszko by the age of six, conquered Mt Everest Base Camp at 12 and embarked on an expedition to the North Pole at 14. In April this year, the teenager became the youngest person to trek one of the more difficult routes to the North Pole. This was one of three expeditions in ‘Jade’s Polar Quest’, which will see her cover almost 2000 km (totalling almost four months on ice) on skis, dragging a sled of around her own body weight.

Young Conservationist of the Year: Joshua Gilbert

In 2015, Worimi man and chair of the NSW Young Farmers Association Joshua Gilbert campaigned for a fundamental change in the association’s policy. Through his lobbying, the farmers’ policy was transformed from one calling for a Royal Commission into the concept of climate change to one that encouraged greater use of renewable energy. As a result, former US-presidential candidate Al Gore asked Josh to be part of his Climate Reality Project.

Spirit of Adventure: Brian Freeman

In 2014 former soldier Brian Freeman founded Walking Wounded, which assists returned Aussie soldiers by supporting their mental health. Part of his job involves leading confidence-building expeditions. In 2016 Brian summitted Mt Everest with a list of soldiers killed in Afghanistan. He was also the first to run from Australia’s northernmost to southernmost point, and has recently led teams on the Kokoda Trail and up Mt Kilimanjaro.

Spirit of Adventure: Alyssa Azar

In May 2016, 19-year-old Alyssa Azar became the youngest Australian to summit Mt Everest. It was the teenager’s third attempt, after natural disasters thwarted two previous climbs — the first was in 2014, when an avalanche struck the Khumbu Icefall, killing 16 Sherpas, and the second in April 2015, when Nepal was struck by a devastating earthquake that killed more than 8500 people.

Spirit of Adventure: Lachlan Smart

Lachlan Smart became the youngest person to fly a single-engine aircraft solo around the world when he landed on the Sunshine Coast on 27 August. The 18-year-old travelled 45,000 km, stopping in 24 locations and 15 countries. He was inspired by former Society Adventurer of the Year Ryan Campbell, who held this record in 2013.