Tim Winton first became involved in our work as the Vice President of the Society’s Western Australian branch. Tim is a beloved Australian author who has won the Miles Franklin Award four times and twice been short-listed for the prestigious Booker Prize. Tim’s work has achieved the rare distinction of being both critically admired and loved by readers in Australia and across the seas. He has been declared a Living Treasure by the National Trust and more recently was made an ‘Australia Post Australian Legend’ for his outstanding contribution to the social and cultural life of Australia.
Tim Winton’s commitment to the environment is well known and was further highlighted in 2002 when he donated his $25,000 prize money from the Western Australian Premier’s Award to the Save Ningaloo Reef Campaign. In June 2011, after a long campaign by AMCS and our conservation colleagues, the Ningaloo Coast was listed as World Heritage by the United Nations. This campaign was another great success for the Society, thanks in no small part to our Patron, of whom we are very proud. Tim writes about Australia’s coasts and oceans like no other. He plays an active role in most of our campaigns, particularly marine sanctuaries, sustainable seafood and shark conservation.