Des lead the first group of ARPA Bushwalkers to walk the length of the iconic 1,200km Heysen Trail.
In 1996 he instigated the Summer Camps in the Victorian and NSW High Country.
In 2,000 he was the main organiser of Heysen 2000 when the whole trail was walked on one weekend.
He has led 13 walking camps and assisted in many more. He has led countless day walks at all levels.
His particular interest has been in walking outback trails.
Walking SA has initiated annual awards to recognise sustained and outstanding contribution to walking at all levels throughout South Australia.
Many volunteers and others have contributed to South Australia’s great walking trails, waling clubs, and walking promotion and opportunities for health, wellbeing, recreation and tourism.
If you know of someone who should be considered for an award please do consider nominating them, nominations are taken throughout the year.
2017 Special Recognition Award – Group / Organisation
DEWNR has enhanced the development of walking in South Australia with the vision and implementation of this significant walking trail. ...
2017 Local Government Award – Organisation
The City of Salisbury has developed and delivered the Green Trails Masterplan to deliver cross-city (and beyond) trails including the Little Para River Linear Trail and Dry Creek Trails. In late 2016 the City of Salisbury opened the Lowie’s Loop Nature Play Trail at the Boardwalk at Greentree ...
2017 Local Government Award – Organisation
The City of Charles Sturt is demonstrating an ongoing commitment to improving walking infrastructure in the delivery of the Grange Lakes Shared Use Path. The strategic vision for this Accessible path is to create links between recreational and historic sites, public transport and other walking ...
2017 Local Government Award – Organisation
The District Council of Elliston has completed the Elliston Coastal Trail, a series of connected trail loops on the shores of spectacular Waterloo Bay between some of the most dramatic coastline on the Eyre Peninsula. With gentle well formed compact tracks over much of the four trail options, ...
2017 Local Government Award – Organisation
The District Council of Robe has formalized and consolidated the many informal walking trails through the coastal dunes and cliff tops around the Robe township into one trail. By surfacing the trail and controlling the access through the coastal areas the safety of trail users and enviromental ...
2017 Special Recognition Award – Group / Organisation
South Australian Recreation Trails have brought to life the vision of walking in the hills to the east of the Mt Lofty Ranges. The dedicated group of volunteers have engaged with local councils, landowners, community groups and local businesses to plan and implement the trail over a series of ...
2017 Special Recognition Award – Individual
Major contributor preventing the Lavender Federation Trail from stalling in 2004 The Lavender Federation Trail originally a part of Terry Lavenders vision of a long distance walking trail predominantly to the east of the Mt Lofty Ranges by 2004 had reached Tungkillo after planning started in ...
2017 Special Recognition Award – Individual
Chris has made significant and ongoing contributions over the past 13 years to South Australian Recreation Trails Inc who have been developing and implementing the Lavendar Federation Trail. With his past work with ARPA Bushwalkers and Walking SA he is recognised for this Special Recognition Award. ...
2017 Special Recognition Award – Individual
David first joined the Friends of the Heysen Trail in 1996, serving on their Council and volunteering at their office. In 2000 he was instrumental in the vision of providing a program for people to walk the entire 1,200km Heysen Trail in a series of supported day and weekend walks. The first ...
2017 Special Recognition Award – Individual
In 1995 Denise started the Gawler Bushwalking Club, leading walks and serving on the Committee in various roles. Now 22 years old, that vision has lead to a group of up to 25 local walkers participating on the fortnight hikes. ...
2017 Special Recognition Award – Individual
Gordon has spent many years volunteering and contributing to the management and ongoing operations of Bushwalking Leadership South Australia. The program has been training bushwalking leaders in South Australia since 1973, setting the training standards to a high level with a proud safety ...
2017 Longstanding Contribution /Distinguished Service Award – Individual
Simon has been an active member of the Friends of the Heysen Trail since he joined in 2001. Prior to this he was an active member and walk leader of Adelaide Bushwalkers (ABW). Simon joined at a time of growth of the Friends, promoting the Trail and walking, leading an End-to-End group and ...
2017 Longstanding Contribution /Distinguished Service Award – Individual
Although a relatively latecomer to organised walking, after retiring from the SA Police Ron devoted his considerable energy and creativity to the promotion and facilitation of better walking for all. For several years he was a very active committee member and in 2011 as the President of Walking ...
2017 Longstanding Contribution /Distinguished Service Award – Individual
Liz joined the WEA Ramblers Bushwalking Club in 1979, and has since completed over 500 club hikes, and lead over 60 of these. She has served on their Committee, as well as the with the Friends of the Heysen Trail. She made a significant contribution to Walking SA by serving on our committees ...
2017 Special Recognition Award – Individual
Jeremy has been a long standing member of the Friends of the Heysen Trail as well as Walking SA and has contributed widely to active promotion of walking in nature. Most specifically his website skills in developing sites for each of the Friends and Walking SA has ensured that the walking ...
2017 Special Recognition Award – Individual
Joan has made valuable contributions to ARPA Bushwalkers by serving on the Committee, representing ARPA on the Walking Federation Board (now Walking SA), leading a Heysen 4 group, leading many day walks at all levels and assisting on a number of walking camps. ...
2017 Special Recognition Award – Individual
Carlien was a founding member of ARPA Bushwalkers, and has gone on to inspire and assisted countless walkers with training programmes and suggestions for walks. ...
2017 Longstanding Contribution /Distinguished Service Award – Individual
John has saved many a potential walking route from being lost from public hands. He has spent many years working with Thelma Anderson on the Walking SA Trails Access Committee manually checking Government Gazettes to find and review potential road reserve closures that would impact on walking ...