PRESS RELEASE - 12TH JUNE 2006
MEDAL OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Don Ransom (Sierra 19) was awarded with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for "service to the environment and to the community of South Australia, particularly through initiatives relating to recreational vehicle access to public lands" in the 2006 Queens Birthday Honours List.
Don has for many years been very actively involved with maintaining public access to Outback areas of South Australia while ensuring that minimum impact occurs on the environment.
Don has been a member of the Toyota Landcruiser Club of South Australia Inc. since 1973 an has been a committee member of the club for 23 years as well as Chair of various subcommittees on forming guidelines on minimal impact on travelling in the Outback.
Don joined the VKS-737 Radio Network in August 1996 holding Licence No. 162 (there were only 170 members of the Network at that time).
Don at VKS-737 Head Office, Elizabeth, South Australia.
Don is also a representative for the Club on the South Australian Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs Inc (SAAFWDC) Executive where he is involved in the following areas:
- He has been the Coordinator for the Natural Resources Advisory Unit (NRAU) of the SAAFWDC since its inception in 1993.
- He was instrumental in the production of the SAAFWDC booklet, "Minimal Impact Camping & Touring Guide".
- He is the SAAFWDC Representative on the Tourism and Recreation Stakeholder Working Group of the Coongie Lakes Wetlands - Ramsar Management Plan.
- He has been directly involved in forming the Partnership Agreement between the National Parks and Wildlife SA (NPWS) and the SAAFWD in 2000.
- He has been involved in writing submissions for a number of Draft Management Plans for National Park Reserves since 1975.
- He is Chairman of the Recreational Vehicles Advisory Committee, which was formed after the Partnership of NPWS and the SAAFWDC.
Don has been involved in direct liaison with Pastoral Management, Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation SA, regarding Public Access and associated problems since 1976.
Don is a member of the Pastoral Board Sub Committee on forming Public Access Routes in Pastoral Lands in South Australia.
Don is a member of the Coorong Consultative Committee since it inception in 1986. He was Chairman for 5 years, Vice Chairman for 5 years, and currently a member of its Executive.
Don is a representative for the Coorong Consultative Committee on the Coorong and Lower Lakes Ramsar Community Reference Group.
Pictured: Don at VKS-737 Head Office, Elizabeth, South Australia.
In his spare time, Don is a Member of Friends of the Coorong, a Member of Friends of the Innamincka and Strzelecki Regional Reserves, and a Member of National Parks Camp Ground Hosts.