TitleDr Joe Johnson CSC, OAM, AAMAlso Known AsJoe Johnson OW1961Biography
Joe Johnson (OW1961) was awarded the Australian Antarctic Medal, having served as Station Leader at Casey and Davis. He made an outstanding contribution to Australia’s Antarctic program. He was appointed Chair of the Australian Antarctic Names and Medal Committee in 2002 and has held the position until 2015. He was Voyage Leader on the MV Polar Bird in 2002 when it was conducting the annual resupply voyage. They were beset in Prydz Bay for nearly three weeks. He was also Voyage Leader on a Russian ice breaker, Kapitan Khlebnikov, the only one to go visit the Australian Stations from west to east. He has been the President of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) Club four times, one of two OWs who have wintered in the modern Australian Antarctic program and held this office.
In 2022 he was awarded the Phillip Law Medal. The medal is awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to Antarctic Affairs and the Antarctic community. This may include but is not restricted to contribution in the areas of science, technology, leadership, administration, environmental management, the promotion of tourism, or the raising of public awareness about Australian Antarctic endeavour. Details of the medal and of past awardees is to be found at anareclub.org/phillip-law-medal.
Dr Johnson has kindly donated replicas of Australian Antarctic Medal and Polar Medal, and the pennant that flew from his sled to the College. These on display from time to time, but can also be seen under Objects and Medals
