Outdoor Excellence Awards 2011 Honours Graeme Dingle

2 November 2011

Outdoor Excellence Awards 2011 Honours Graeme Dingle

Graeme Dingle, ONZM, MBE, was announced the Supreme Winner of the 2011 Outdoor Excellence Awards held on Friday 28th October, Quality & Comfort Hotel in Wellington.

The supreme award recognises dedication, commitment and significant contribution to outdoor recreation and outdoor education in New Zealand. Graeme was an easy choice to receive what is the highest accolade of the Outdoor Excellence Awards.

Graeme has lived a life of contribution to outdoor recreation and outdoor education as well as being an accomplished adventurer himself.

Graeme was the first to climb all the European North Faces in one season, and the first to traverse New Zealand¹s Southern Alps in winter. He¹s been involved in numerous Himalayan expeditions and spent two years circumnavigating the Arctic. He has guided thousands of people on a variety of outdoor adventures.

He is an author of many books on adventure and has received the Montana New Zealand Book Award for Best Biography.

But what Graeme was most recognised for in receiving this award was his commitment to the wellbeing of New Zealand's young people through the development of the Outdoor Pursuits Centre in the Central North Island in 1973 and co-founding the Foundation for Youth Development, which was started in 2004.

Graeme Dingle was presented with the award surrounded by many of his peers and those that had been influenced to work in this field through his inspiration.

Other winners announced at this event were:

• John Ransfield - Volunteer Award (sponsored by Mountain Safety Council)
• Mt Aspiring College - Programme Award (sponsored by Education Outdoors New Zealand)
• Cameron Walker - Emerging Instructor Award (sponsored by New Zealand Outdoors Instructor Association)
• Gareth Wheeler - Tall Totara Award (sponsored by New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association)
• Motutapu Outdoor Education Camp Organisation Award, (sponsored by Outdoors New Zealand)
• Activity Hanmer 2011 Ltd - Environmental Leadership Award (sponsored by Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre)
• Graeme Dingle - Supreme Award (sponsored by SPARC)

The Outdoor Excellence Awards are hosted annually by Outdoors New Zealand, and are an Awards programme designed to recognise the highest levels of achievements for individuals and organisations involved in outdoor recreation and education in New Zealand. This event is held alongside the 2011 Outdoor Forum, a conference for outdoor recreation and outdoor education sector.

For more information visit www.outdoorsnz.org.nz

ENDS