ANZEC Achieves another first
I am happy to report to you that it has been an incredibly busy time for our little Australia and New Zealand Chapter of The Explorers Club.
We proudly achieved another first with our inaugural Evening of Adventure in Tasmania. On Friday 31st of August 40 member and guest gathered at the iconic “Captain Bligh’s” in Hobart to enjoy our first meeting.
Our two presenters were Eric Philips and Melinda Brown
Eric Philips presented “Deep Freeze. Exploring the coldest places on Earth” and Melinda Brown presented “Chasing Ocean Giants – A year as the 2017 OWUSS Rolex Scholar”.
You can view their presentations on Video here
Eric Philips – Click Here
Melinda Brown – Click Here
A big Thank You to ANZEC Member Margaret Bowling for making this happen and I am happy to report that she is now the ANZEC Program Co-ordinator in Tasmania
We also had another sell out on the 23rd of August for our regular Evening of Adventure in Sydney with over 70 members coming to hear to hear two pioneering adventurers Matt Carter and Steve Plain.
Matt Carter presents “Deep Archaeology and the Battle of Sydney Harbour”. Matt along with a team of technical divers and filmmakers set out to investigate the last remaining evidence of the attack; the wreck of the M-24 Midget Submarine lying in 56 metres of water. Using cutting-edge 3D photogrammetry and technical computer animation the team can now tell the true story of what really happened that fateful night.
Steve Plain presents “Project 7in4”. An accident at Cottesloe Beach in 2014 left Steve with a broken neck. A long recovery ahead of him and no mountaineering experience to speak of, Steve set himself an ambitious challenge to climb the 7 Summits in under 4 months. Following training and practice expeditions to the New Zealand Southern Alps, the Peruvian Andes and the Himalayas, Steve successfully completed “Project 7in4” in May, setting a new 7 Summits world speed record of 117 days.
You can view their presentations on Video here
Steve Plain – Click Here
It was a fantastic evening that is best described by Explorers Club Member Michael J. Manyak who was visiting us from the USA.
I had the great pleasure to be able to attend a dinner meeting with presentations at the Australian & New Zealand (ANZEC) chapter of The Explorers Club (TEC) in Sydney, Australia. The theme for their meetings of this sort is “Evenings of Adventure” and they most certainly are that. The evening was hosted by chapter chairman Todd Thai at their regular venue for such events, the delightful beachside restaurant Balmoral Boathouse owned by John Leese, an Explorers Club member and chapter officer. Both Todd and John are quite gregarious and were great hosts and everyone made me feel quite welcome.
The sumptuous seafood buffet was augmented by generous libations and certainly was a bargain for the attendees. Attendance was actually quite oversubscribed for the established capacity but we managed to squeeze in all for dinner and the presentations. About half the crowd was ANZEC members and it was impressive to see the interest from outside groups of people who attended. The format certainly encouraged the public to learn about The Explorers Club and also provided opportunities to attract new explorers. I was able to meet several ANZEC members and renew acquaintances with some with whom I have crossed paths, such as Mike McDowell and Sophie Hollingsworth, our TEC young explorer of the year in 2017. It was a pleasure to meet and talk with noted oceanographer Valerie Taylor.
The evening show was quite interesting and appeared to exceed expectations of the public attendees. The presentation by Matt Carter about his work in discovery, exploration, and salvage of the quite rare Japanese Midget Submarine M-24 that attacked Sydney Harbor during WWII was indeed fascinating. The other speaker, Steve Plain, detailed his world record of conquering the 7 Summits in 4 months, an incredible feat made even more amazing by the fact that he did this after overcoming multiple neck fractures and several months in a stabilizing halo. Both speakers were quite inspiring.
The ANZEC chapter is growing and thriving thanks to its leadership and members. I encourage all to visit, you will not be disappointed. Thanks Todd for your hospitality!
Michael J. Manyak, MD, MED ’92
Associate Editor, The Explorers Journal
Flag & Honors Committee member
So I wish you all a happy Spring from the waters off Jar Island in the North Western Kimberley where I am currently hosting an 11-day Australian Geographic Society Cruise along the Kimberley coast.
Todd Tai
Chapter Chair
The Explorers Club – Australia and New Zealand Chapter
