ABF - AWARDS

AWARDS

Over the years the ABF has had a number of members who have distinguished themselves in their support of ballooning. Their contributions have been recognised by the membership with the following awards. As at 28/11/2011: -

Life Members
Life Membership is awarded to members who have provided exemplary service to the ABF over many years.

Phil Hanson (dec)
Adrian Clements
Len Gedge (dec)
Gren Putland
Ian Tooth (dec)

Gedge Trophy

The Gedge Trophy was presented to the ABF by Len Gedge, a long time balloonist, Life Member of the ABF and supporter of ballooning in Australia. It is awarded to a member who has made a considerable contribution to the ABF over a long period.

Peter Vizzard 1984
Phil Hanson (dec) 1986
Felicity Murray (dec) 1988
Balloon Association of Victoria 1989
Gren Putland 1990
Kay Turnbull 1990
Ian Tooth (dec) 1993
Danny Galbraith 1997
Deidre Blackmore & Kerry Frankel 2004
Gary Pask 2005
Simon Fisher 2006
Phil Kavanagh 2008
Don Whitford 2010
Sue Robinson 2011

William Dean Award
The William Dean Award is named after William Dean, 19th century pioneer of ballooning in Australia and is presented to individuals or organisations who have made a valuable contribution to Australian ballooning.

The William Dean award is a plaque awarded to and kept by the recipient and carries the following information on the reverse side of the Award

The william dean award

The William (Joseph) Dean Award is presented by the Australian Ballooning Federation in recognition of excellence in contributing to the sport of Ballooning. The award is named after Joseph Dean, Australia’s first Aeronaut. On the 1st of February 1858, Joseph Dean made the first Balloon Flight at Cremorne Gardens in Melbourne in the 35,000 cubic foot gas balloon ‘Australasian’ which had been built by Charles Brown. The first flight lasted some 25 minutes and covered a distance of approximately 13km. Australia’s National Ballooning Day is commemorated on the 1st of February each year in recognition of this flight by Joseph Dean.

1987 Phil Kavanagh
Mildura International Balloon Fiesta - (Deidre Blackmore, Kerry Frankel & Bill Smart)
2003 Paul Gibbs
2004 Danny Galbraith
2008 Ruth E Wilson
2009 Peter Dutneall

Australian Ballooning Hall of Fame
As the opportunity presents itself eminent members are inducted into the Hall of Fame and presented with a small memento. These presentations take place at an organised gathering of ABF members.
Each Hall of Fame inductee provides a picture and short history of their involvement in the sport of ballooning and the ABF.
Past recipients include:-

Recipients	Inducted
Len & Elsie Gedge	2002
Ruth Wilson
Kay Turnbull
Gary Pask
Danny Galbraith
Peter Drury
Dale Allen
Phil Kavanagh
Judy Lynne
Peter Vizzard
Will Paul
Simon Fisher
John Stein
Chris Dewhirst
Rob Robertson
Jenny Houghton	2003
Ian Robinson	2003
Kiff Saunders
Adrian Clements
Gren Putland
Joe Blitz	2006
Barry & Sylvia Bristow- Stagg	2006

International Awards
ABF members have been nominated and have received awards from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) and the Royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Australia. The awards are not presented lightly and the members who have been honoured with these awards contributed greatly to the sport of ballooning.

Fédération Aéronautique Internationale Awards

1991 Air Sport Medal - Phil Hanson (dec)
1992 Air Sport Medal - C. E. "Wally" Wallington (dec)
2010 Paul Tissandier Award – Robert “ Bob” Cook

Commission International d' Aerostation (FAI Ballooning Commission) Awards

1992 Montgolfier Diploma - Hot Air Chris Dewhirst
1994 Montgolfier Diploma - Rozier Steven Griffin
1995 Montgolfier Diploma - Rozier John Wallington and Dick Smith

Royal Federation of Aeroclubs of Australia. - Oswald Watt Award

Chris Dewhirst (For his Mt Everest Flight)

British Royal Aero Club's Award - The Salaman Trophy

Chris Dewhirst (For his Mt Everest Flight)

Errors and Omissions

If you are aware of any recipients of the above awards that are not included in the above list please contact the National Office with details of the recipient and the approximate date you believe the award was made.