A childhood of swimming, fishing and boating off the pristine Forster beaches inspired Martin Tucker’s passion for the ocean and all the things in it. Thirty-one voyages into the Southern Ocean later, Martin is one of the country’s longest serving fisheries observers, and was recently awarded the Australian Antarctic Medal for his work.
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“When I found out about the nomination I was very surprised,” Martin explained.
“I was out at sea on a trip when I received the email. I use a special work account on trips so I don’t end up with lots of emails, so all my messages were work related, and then here was one from the Australian Governor General’s office. My first reaction was to do a quick google and make sure the whole thing was fair dinkum, it was that unexpected.”
Upon googling the Australian Antarctic Medal, Martin learned it was awarded to those who have given outstanding service in scientific research or exploration, or in support of such work, delivered under the Australian Antarctic Program.
“When I realised it was the real deal I felt very honoured,” Martin explained.
“I’ve been working with the Australian Fisheries Service since 1991 and doing Antarctica trips since 1996. I always knew what I wanted to do growing up, so when I finished school I went straight to the Australian Maritime College.”
Despite his busy schedule of regular working trips to the land of ice and snow, Martin still enjoys getting back home to warmth of Forster and casting a line on the familiar old beaches.
“I went to school at Holy Name in Forster, and since my family moved here when I was 10 this has always been home,” he said.
“I still enjoy fishing when I get a chance to come back, and I have a couple of boats here too. I’m supposed to receive the medal at a ceremony in Sydney in September or October, but I’m not actually sure if I’ll be able to get to it, as I’m headed out for my next trip around mid September. “My trips usually last about three months so I won’t be home again until mid December.”
The Australian Antarctic Medal, established in 1987, is an award in the Meritorious Service Awards category of the Australian Honours System.
