Keynote Speaker: Ian Kiernan AO, OAM

Ian Kiernan AO, OAM is the Founder and Chairman of Clean Up Australia and Clean Up the World. Clean Up Australia voices community concerns on the state of the environment and actively promotes environmental repair. This includes advocating practical community based solutions on issues such as extended producer responsibility, container deposit systems, resource re-use, electronics recycling and the initiation of environmentally friendly practices into the Australian psyche.

Prior to devoting his life to environmental issues Ian was a successful property developer in Sydney.

A keen sailor Ian took stock of his situation after the credit squeeze in the mid- ‘70s which saw his venture partnership fail and decided it was the best opportunity he would ever have to pursue his next passion. Sailing out of Sydney Harbour he aimed to visit as many of the exotic Pacific Islands he could - 36 in total over 12 months.

Ian now holds Chairmanships with the Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) for Waste Management and Pollution Control Limited and the Enviro-Finance Association of Australia, is a Director of CVC Reef Limited, a member of the NSW Government’s Expert Water Advisory Panel and is the Patron of the Australasian Chapter of the International Erosion Control Association.

In recognition of his leadership in the environment and the community both in Australia and internationally, Ian was named 1994 Australian of the Year. He holds the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) on Australia Day 1995.

In 1993, Ian was made a UNEP Global 500 Laureate for leadership in the local and global environment. The prestigious United Nations Environment Programme Sasakawa Environment Prize was awarded to Ian in 1998 while the World Association of Girl Guides nominated him for the ‘Building World Citizenship Award’ in 1999.

Ian Kiernan maintains his love for the sea as patron for a number of sailing groups and as an Ambassador for the Great Barrier Reef.