Historical information

This medal commemorates the Nordic Ski Club and belonged to Diana Patterson.
Diana Patterson was born in Tasmania and originally pursued a career as a physical education teacher. After making a major career change, she applied to join the Australian Antarctic Division. She applied four times before she was accepted. Diana first travelled to the Antarctic in October 1987. By this time only ten Australian women had spent a winter there. She first worked at Casey Station, before becoming leader at Mawson Station therein becoming the first female leader of an Antarctic base of any nation. After retiring Diana guided tourist expeditions to the Antarctic for many years, as well as continuing work in research and conservation.
In 2012 she published her story “The Ice Beneath My Feet: My Year In Antarctica”. Diana Patterson was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for "service to conservation and the environment”.
As well as these outstanding career achievements, Diana has been a Board Member of both the Mt. Buller Alpine Resort Management Board, including a period as Chairman, and also the Falls Creek Resort Management Board.
She was also a founding member of Falls Creek Historical Society.

Significance

This medal belonged to a highly recognised Australian and founding member of the Falls Creek Historical Society.

Physical description

A triangle shaped medal with a red, white and blue lanyard attached. It bears an embossed figure of a Nordic Skier and text.

Inscriptions & markings

On front, around edges: 1972 TELEMARK NORDIC SKI CLUB AUSTRALIA
On back: Rocky Valley Rush W40 1991