Name P.J. Moonie | ||
Patrick John Moonie was awarded the Polar Medal in 1975 for his work with the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) as Radio Operator-in-Charge at Mawson Station in the 1960s.
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Biography
He was born 28 July 1936 to Alice McKay and Oliver Allan Moonie, O.A.M. in New South Wales, Australia. At age 4, care responsibilities assumed by Sisters of Mercy boys home in Parramatta and then St Vincent's Boys Home in Westmead until aged 16.
Upon leaving the orphanage, Patrick joined the Royal Australian Navy in the communications branch. He served for 12 years and is decorated with multiple medals. After leaving the navy, he joined the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) where he completed five expeditions to the Antarctica. On these expeditions, he was the radio operator and assisted on scientific field trips.
Legacy
Mount Moonie in the Athos Range was named after P.J. Moonie by the Antarctic Names Committee of Australia.