Patrons
His Honour Mr Ted Egan AO, Past Administrator of the Northern Territory
Friend and Ambassador to "2002 Australia's Year of the Outback' and Patron of the Australian Outback Development Consortium Ltd and the "Year of the Outback'.
Biography
Edward (Ted) Joseph Egan AO is a long-term Territorian and has spent many years living in Alice Springs. During his earlier career with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs he was mainly in the bush, employed as a Patrol Officer, Reserve Superintendent, Teacher and District Officer.
He worked with Aboriginal people in places such as Borroloola, Groote Eylandt , Maningrida and Yuendumu.
Ted Egan was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 1993 Australia Day Honours List "For Services to the Aboriginal people and for the interpretation of Australian cultural heritage through song and verse".
An author and songwriter, he has been writing and recording songs since 1969 and has produced 28 albums. He is a Master of Arts (History). His earlier Bachelor of Arts Degree was achieved the hard way - studying in the bush. In 2002 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Northern Territory University for outstanding community service and notable achievement in the fields of Aboriginal affairs, historical studies and preservation and promotion of Australia 's cultural heritage, particularly song, verse and folklore. He was the 2003 Northern Territory recipient of the Australian of the Year Award.
Ted Egan has four adult children. He is married to Ms Nerys Evans, who was born in Wales and emigrated to Australia in 1964. Ms Evans was a primary and secondary school teacher for 22 years.
On 18 November 2003, Ted Egan, was sworn in as the 18 th Administrator of the Northern Territory, by His Excellency the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC.
On 25 February 2004 , His Honour Mr Ted Egan was appointed an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO).
Mrs Nancy Bird-Walton AO, OBE, Hon. D. Sc., Hon ME
Ever supportive and revered Patron for "2002 Australia's Year of the Outback' and Patron Emeritus of the Australian Outback Development Consortium Ltd and the "Year of the Outback'
Biography
Nancy Bird-Walton, aviator, daughter of W.R. Bird was born on 16 October 1915 at Kew, NSW. From an early age, Nancy dreamed of flying aeroplanes and worked at odd jobs after school to save her money for flying lessons.
Charles Kingsford Smith admired her commitment to her flying and was supportive when it was more acceptable for women to remain in their homes. Nancy was granted an "A" class flying licence at the age of seventeen and by nineteen gained her advanced commercial licence.
The first woman to operate an aircraft commercially in Australia, she participated in the first Ladies Flying Tour of Australia in 1934 and the next year, operated as an owner-pilot for the Far West Children's Health Scheme.
In 1936 She won the Ladies Trophy South Australian Centenary Air Race from Brisbane to Adelaide and came fifth in the All Women's Transcontinental Air Race, America, in 1958.
From 1940 - 45, she served as Commandant of the Women's Air Training Corps and continued to be involved in flying after World War 11. In 1950 she founded the Australian Women's Pilot Association which boasts an active membership still today.
Nancy Bird married Charles F. Walton in 1939 and has a son and a daughter.
She was appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Civil) in June 1966 for her work as a pilot to the Far West Children's Health Scheme, OSJ in 1977 and appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in January 1990 for "service to aviation, particularly the participation of women in aviation.
Her autobiographical books "Born to Fly" (1961) and "My God! It's A Woman" (1990) have been best sellers.
In her capacity as guest speaker or Ambassador, her busy schedule continues to take her all over Australia where she delights audiences with stories of the early days of aviation in Australia.
Nancy was an ideal role model and Patron of "2002 Year of the Outback' and continues on as an inspiring Patron Emeritus of the Australian Outback Development Consortium Ltd and "Year of the Outback 2006'.
