Ian Kiernan
Ian Kiernan | |
---|---|
Kiernan in 2013 | |
Born | Ian Bruce Carrick Kiernan (1940-10-04)4 October 1940 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
Died | 16 October 2018(2018-10-16) (aged 78) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
Nationality | Australian |
Occupation(s) | Environmentalist, Yachtsman, Property Developer, Builder |
Years active | 1993–2018 |
Known for | Clean Up the World movement |
Ian Bruce Carrick Kiernan AO (4 October 1940 – 16 October 2018) was an Australian yachtsman, property developer, builder, and environmental campaigner, known for co-founding with Kim McKay the not-for-profit Clean Up Australia campaign in 1989 and, in 1993, a similar Clean Up the World operation, serving as the event's chairman, the annual initiative attracted participation from 30 million volunteers in 80 countries.
Early life
Kiernan was born in Sydney to George Arthur and Leslie Katherine Kiernan. He was educated at The Scots College in Sydney, The Armidale School in northern New South Wales, and the Sydney Technical College,[1] where he trained as a builder.[1]
Career
Kiernan was a yachtsman, sailing competitively for more than 40 years and representing Australia at the Admiral's, Southern Cross, Dunhill, Clipper, Kenwood and Trans Pacific Cup competitions.[2] In 1986/87 Kiernan represented Australia in the BOC Challenge solo around-the-world yacht race. He finished 6th out of a fleet of 25 yachts from 11 countries,[3] setting an Australian record for a solo circumnavigation of the world.[4]
Clean-up
During the BOC Challenge, Kiernan was appalled by the amount of rubbish choking the world's oceans.[5] With the support of a committee of friends, he organised a community event – Clean Up Sydney Harbour on Sunday 8 January 1989. 40,000 volunteers turned out to help and collected over 5000 tonnes.[6][5]
The success of the first event in 1989 sparked national interest. Since then more than 21 million people have heeded the call through annual Clean Up Australia Days, Friday Schools Clean Up Days and Business Clean Ups.[7] Clean up Australia's mission is "To inspire and work with communities to clean up and fix up our Earth."[8] The first "Clean Up the World" event took place in 1993.[9] By 2007 some 35 million people from 80 nations turned out to clean up their part of the world and in 2017 it was estimated that 120 nations took part.[9]
Awards
Kiernan's environmental efforts were recognised in 1991 when the Australian Government awarded him the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).[10] He was awarded Australian of the Year in 1994.[11] During the ceremony he assisted the Premier of New South Wales, John Fahey, stopping a "pseudo assassination" attempt on Charles, Prince of Wales. In 1995, he was appointed an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia.[12]
In 1998, Kiernan was the recipient of the UNEP Sasakawa Prize.[13] The prize is awarded every year to individuals with an established track record of achievement and the potential to make outstanding contributions to the protection and management of the environment consistent with UNEP's policies and objectives.[14] He received the World Citizenship Award from the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 1999.
In 2001, Kiernan was awarded the Centenary Medal for "service to the Clean Up Australia Campaign and the Clean up the World Campaign".[15] In 2006 Kiernan received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Trust of Australia (NSW).[16] The 2007 Reader's Digest "Most Trusted Poll" voted Clean Up Australia as the country's most trusted environmental charity and Kiernan as the fourth "most trustworthy" Australian.[17] In 2008 in the same poll Kiernan was ranked number three.[18]
Kiernan was also the recipient of Toastmasters International Communications and Leadership Award, the Berger-Sullivan Tourism Award, the International Banksia Award and the 1999 Building World Citizenship Award.[19]
Controversy
In 2014, Kiernan pleaded guilty to a DUI charge in Sydney, following a previous charge for the same offence in 1998. This record was cited by the government of New South Wales when Kiernan was overlooked for the honour of having a Sydney ferry named after him.[20]
Death
He died on 16 October 2018[21] in Sydney at the age of 78. He is survived by his daughters Sally and Pip and son Jack.[7]
References
- ^ a b Pearce, Suzannah, ed. (17 November 2006). "KIERNAN Ian Bruce Carrick". Who's Who in Australia Live!. North Melbourne, Vic: Crown Content Pty Ltd.
- ^ "Ian Kiernan". VRROOM. National Archives of Australia. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
- ^ "The BOC Challenge 1986-1987 Results". solocircumnavigation.com. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
- ^ "Sailor says If you don't Clean Up Australia, who will?". Sail-World. 28 February 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
- ^ a b "Clean up the world: Exploring a successful Australian environmentalist". Omni. 16 (4): 18. January 1994. ProQuest 229742683.
- ^ "The Clean Up Story". Archived from the original on 12 October 2008.
- ^ a b "Clean Up Australia founder Ian Kiernan dies". Australia: ABC News. 17 October 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
- ^ "Mission and vision - Clean Up Australia Day". Archived from the original on 20 December 2009.
- ^ a b McKay, Jennifer (July 2017). "A Healthier Planet". Defence Journal; Karachi. 20 (12): 41–42. ProQuest 1923654387.
- ^ "Ian Bruce Carrick Kiernan OAM". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
- ^ Lewis, Wendy (2010). Australians of the Year. Pier 9 Press. ISBN 978-1-74196-809-5.
- ^ "Ian Bruce Carrick Kiernan AO". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
- ^ UNEP SASAKAWA Environment Prize laureates 1998.
- ^ Mr. Ian Bruce Carrick Kiernan, Winner 1998 . Archived 4 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Ian Kiernan". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
- ^ Speaker Profile of Ian Kiernan AO at The Celebrity Speakers Bureau
- ^ CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA MOST TRUSTED AUSTRALIAN ENVIRONMENT CHARITY
- ^ Australia's Most Trusted People 2008 Archived 2 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ World Citizenship Award Awardees Archived 10 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine. www.wagggsworld.org
- ^ "Drink-driving record sunk Clean Up Australia Day founder Ian Kiernan's chance for ferry name fame". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
- ^ "In Memory of Ian Kiernan, AO". Clean Up. 17 October 2018. Archived from the original on 4 January 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
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- 1960 Frank Burnet
- 1961 Joan Sutherland
- 1962 Jock Sturrock
- 1963 John Eccles
- 1964 Dawn Fraser
- 1965 Robert Helpmann
- 1966 Jack Brabham
- 1967 The Seekers
- 1968 Lionel Rose
- 1969 Lord Casey
- 1970 Norman Gilroy
- 1971 Evonne Goolagong
- 1972 Shane Gould
- 1973 Patrick White
- 1974 Bernard Heinze
- 1975 John Cornforth/Alan Stretton
- 1976 Edward Dunlop
- 1977 Raigh Roe/Murray Tyrrell
- 1978 Alan Bond/Galarrwuy Yunupingu
- 1979 Neville Bonner/Harry Butler
- 1980 Manning Clark
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- 1983 Robert de Castella
- 1984 Lowitja O'Donoghue
- 1985 Paul Hogan
- 1986 Dick Smith
- 1987 John Farnham
- 1988 Kay Cottee
- 1989 Allan Border
- 1990 Fred Hollows
- 1991 Peter Hollingworth
- 1992 Mandawuy Yunupingu
- 1993 no award
- 1994 Ian Kiernan
- 1995 Arthur Boyd
- 1996 John Yu
- 1997 Peter Doherty
- 1998 Cathy Freeman
- 1999 Mark Taylor
- 2000 Gustav Nossal
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- 2002 Pat Rafter
- 2003 Fiona Stanley
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- 2005 Fiona Wood
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- 2010 Patrick McGorry
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- 2013 Ita Buttrose
- 2014 Adam Goodes
- 2015 Rosie Batty
- 2016 David Morrison
- 2017 Alan Mackay-Sim
- 2018 Michelle Simmons
- 2019 Craig Challen/Richard Harris (joint)
- 2020 James Muecke
- 2021 Grace Tame
- 2022 Dylan Alcott
- 2023 Taryn Brumfitt
- 2024 Georgina Long/Richard Scolyer (joint)