Media Release - Introducing Narromine's 2022 Australia Day Ambassador

Mr Andrew Lock OAM

Andrew is Australia’s most accomplished high-altitude mountaineer, being the only Australian, in fact the only member of the entire British Commonwealth to have climbed every 8000 metre peak in the world. 

Andrew’s achievements encompass 18 summits of those 8000 metre peaks, including Mt Everest (twice), three times that of any other Australian, placing him in a select group of the world’s best alpinists. Additionally, Andrew accomplished the first Australian ascent of 6 of those mountains, a record that can never be broken.  His continuing mountaineering successes include: Mt Everest, Broad Peak, Lhotse, Shishapangma Central and Cho Oyu. 

Already a highly experienced adventurer, in 1990 Andrew led his first trekking group to K2 basecamp, shortly after guiding an ascent of Lobuche East in Nepal, with every member of the team successfully reaching the summit. Following this, he led treks and mountaineering expeditions to Nepal, Pakistan, Central Asia and North and South America, including Aconcagua, Denali, Peru, Bolivia, Kokoda and Mt Elbrus.

Andrew spent three years in Antarctica leading and training expeditioners involved in Australia’s National Antarctic Research programme. In 2000 he became the first Australian to lead a commercial expedition to the summit of Mt Everest. He has guided clients to the summits of multiple 8000 metre mountains.

In 2010, Andrew was awarded the Order of Australia for services to Mountaineering and in 2016 he was awarded an Australian Commendation for Bravery for saving the lives of three climbers on Mt Everest. He has twice been awarded the Mt Everest medal by the Government of Nepal. 

Andrew holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Emergency Management) with Distinction and is a professional Keynote Speaker, Leadership Trainer and Crisis Management. He is the official Ambassador for Scouts Australia, the Sir David Martin Foundation and the Australian Himalayan Foundation. 

The Narromine Australia Day celebrations will take place on Wednesday 26 January 2022 at Dundas Park from 8.30am. This will be a COVID-19 safe event, held outdoors. Further details will be posted as the date draws nearer.

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Photo: Narromine’s Australia Day Ambassador Mr Andrew Lock OAM

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Media Contact: Narromine Shire Council, General Manager, Jane Redden
 T: 0407 438 422