Recent projects: Adventure
The Society’s adventure sponsorships are awarded to individuals and teams undertaking adventures in Australia and abroad. Recipients come from a wide cross-section of Australian society and are not limited to younger people seeking world firsts.
Summit 8000
Beginning in March 2009, Australia’s most accomplished mountaineer, Andrew Lock will attempt to be the first Australian to climb all fourteen of the world’s 8000 m mountains. Having already climbed thirteen of the highest peaks on earth, he has just one remaining – Mt Shishapangma in Tibet – to complete the project. If successful, Andrew will then go directly to Mt Everest to attempt to climb the peak solo and without oxygen.
The Togean Island Expedition
Three young marine biologists with a shared passion for adventure and conservation will set off to circumnavigate the Tongean Islands, in the Gulf of Tomini, Central Sulawesi, by kayak in December. Tane Sinclair-Taylor, Alex Vail and Joshua Stewart plan to paddle more than 200 km and survive solely from the land and sea. The expedition will wind past 60 islands in the Coral Triangle – one of the most diverse marine regions on the planet.
Powered by the wind
IceBird is a project developing wind powered machines for polar travel. Over the past four years the IceBird team have developed a kite powered sled, or “Kitesled” that can carry a pilot, a passenger and two months worth of supplies across any snow covered landscape, powered by the wind. In March this year Ben Deacon and Dave Goldie plan to go to Hudson Bay in Arctic Canada to travel up to 3000 km along the Hudson Bay Coast, and attempt the world 24 hour polar travel record which currently stands at 500 km. For more information on the kitesled check out the website. Read about Ben and Dave’s tumultuous Canada expedition HERE.
From Sea to See
With the assistance of the AG Society, two visually-impaired friends from Adelaide, Neil Massey and Lee Cox , will attempt to walk from Adelaide to Darwin. The walk is being held to raise $250,000 for Retina Australia (SA) Inc. Their walk will begin from Glenelg, Adelaide on 27 June and will conclude approximately 92 days later in Darwin, NT. If successful, Neil and Lee will cover more than 3000 km on their journey through the heart of Australia. On average, the pair will clock up 43 km a day and sometimes up to 58 km.
Icy adventure
Luke and Simon Perraton share a love for the Australian high country, a driving force behind their upcoming attempt to ski tour/walk the Australian Alps Walking Track in winter. The pair have been planning and training for this adventure – which will begin in Walhalla and end in Canberra – for the last four years. Luke and Simon are currently preparing food and fuel drops for their two-month adventure, in time for their departure in July.
8 in 8 in 8
Andrew Hughes will cycle, kayak and walk to reach the highest eight peaks in the eight Australian states and territories in just eight months. While travelling, Andrew will maintain a website which will document his journey. Lesson plans involving Andrew’s expedition will also be available for students in grades 5-8.
Website
Ben Deacon, Dave Goldie & Pat Spiers
IceBird Hudson Bay Expedition 2009
Website
Neil Massay
From Sea to See
Jarrah Wells
Light weight kayak
David Chiew
K2 and Broadpeak climb
Read about other projects that we’ve sponsored:
Science
Community
Environment
