At the recent Annual General Meeting, Gliding Australia celebrated outstanding members who have contributed to the sport’s growth, achievement, and excellence. These awards honour individuals who dedicate their skills, time, and passion to various aspects of gliding. Here’s a look at 2024’s recipients across both service and sporting categories.

Service Awards

• Bill Iggulden Award: Awarded to Keith Willis for his exceptional volunteer service to the gliding community.
• Ryan Award: Presented to Anthony Smith for his invaluable contributions to airworthiness.
• Hoinville Award: Awarded to Pat Barfield for outstanding service in operations.
• Wally Wallington Trophy: Awarded to Mike Durrant for his impact on the sport of gliding.
• J R Muller Award: Presented to Charles Durham for his work in promoting and marketing gliding, helping to raise awareness and attract new members to the sport.

Sporting Awards

The AGM also honoured members with exceptional flying achievements throughout the year. Each sporting trophy is awarded based on specific performance criteria from the preceding Gliding Australia financial year:

• Martin Warner Trophy: Awarded to Rick Agnew for the greatest claimed gain of height, claimed by pilot submission.
• Wally Woods Trophy: Presented to Lumpy Patterson for the longest cross-country flight, determined by the Gliding Australia Awards Officer.
• Bob Irvine Trophy: Also awarded to Lumpy Patterson for the flight with the highest OLC points score, determined by the Gliding Australia Awards Officer.
• Roger Woods Trophy: Given to James Nugent for achieving the best place by an Australian at any World Championship.
• Royal Aeronautical Society Shield (RAeS Shield): Awarded to James Nugent for the highest speed achieved by an Australian pilot at any World Championship, marking exceptional speed and skill on the world stage.
• Ingo Renner Cup (Summer): Presented to Norm Bloch for his exceptional summer season flying.
• Ingo Renner Cup (Winter): Awarded to John Buchanan for his winter season performance.
• WeeGlide Australian League: The Gliding Club of Victoria took home the title.

Additionally we recognised the following FAI Award.

• FAI Award – Pirat Gehriger Diploma: Awarded to John Wharington, recognizing his outstanding contributions and commitment to gliding at an international level.

Congratulations to all the winners for their contributions and achievements to gliding in Australia!