Caver Receives Medal of the Order of Australia

Formations inside Australia’s Jenolan Caves. Photo by zigwamp/flickr

Australian caver Ross Ellis was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia earlier this month for his contributions to the field of speleology.

Part of the Queen’s Birthday Honors, the medal, from the general division, was awarded for “service worthy of particular recognition.”

A member of the Sydney Speleological Society (SSS) for more than 40 years, Ellis has been heavily involved with the documentation of caves in New South Wales. Everything from surveying caves to writing, editing and publishing books and journals on the subject.

His work also includes conservation efforts at the Bungonia Caves, Church Creek and the Franklin River as well as holding a number of positions, including research and historical officer, with the SSS.

Telopea resident honoured for work with caves [parramattasun.com.au]