Past Recipients 2006 - 1989
2006 - Dr Tom Cullity.
Tom is one of the three pioneers of the Margaret River wine region, along with Kevin & Di Cullen (Cullen’s) and Bill Pannell (Moss Wood). He enthusiastically embraced John Gladstones’ suggestions, establishing Vasse Felix in 1967 and beginning what has become one of the outstanding wineries in the region.
2005 - Merv and Judy Lange
Merv & Judy are true pioneers of The Great Southern, having planted their first vines at Alkoomi, their Frankland River property, in 1971. Alkoomi produces exceptional wines, and the Lange’s have been and continue to be passionate ambassadors of the Frankland River wine region.
2004 - John Kosovich OAM
John was an inaugural inductee into the Swan Valley ‘Icons of the Valley’ in 2010. John is a true son of the valley; having started his winemaking career in 1953, he is perhaps the longest, still serving, winemaker in Australia. He is also a very highly respected wine judge, and his contribution to the WA wine industry has been outstanding.
2003 - Lloyd Meredith.
Lloyd of MGM Wine Distributors was recognised for his strong support of the WA wine industry. He and his wife Jan pioneered educational wine tours to Margaret River, and they launched a series of events aimed at promoting the wines of Western Australia.
2002- Dr Bill Pannell AM.
One of the three pioneers of the Margaret River wine region. Establishing Moss Wood in 1969, he, along with Tom Cullity (Vasse Felix) and Kevin & Di Cullen (Cullen’s), did the groundbreaking work that vindicated John Gladstones’ research. Moss Wood and Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon are now well established on the world wine map.
2001 - Paul Conti.
Winemaker, wine judge, former Royal Perth show committee member and a tireless supporter and promoter of WA wines. Paul is considered a pioneer of the modern WA wine industry and has devoted enormous amounts of time and effort, not only to his own business but also to assist others.
2000 - Mike Zekulich OAM.
Journalist, indefatigable supporter of Western Australian wine and author of numerous books on the WA wine industry and its people. Mike has been and still is a constant promoter of the quality and diversity of WA wine. His enthusiasm and support for Western Australian wine have never waned.
1999 - Pam McGregor.
Pam was a former president of the Mt Barker & District Agricultural Society Inc, the Secretary/Treasurer of the Wine Show Committee and Secretary and Treasurer of the Great Southern Wine Producers Association. From a humble beginning in 1978 (26 entries from 10 exhibitors), Pam steered the fledgling wine show, a very small section of the Mount Barker and District Agricultural Society Show, into the highly regarded The Wine Show of Western Australia.
1998 - Di Cullen.
One of the pioneers of the Margaret River wine region Di Cullen was a hardworking, passionate and tireless advocate of the Margaret River region and its wines. Di, with no formal training in winemaking, produced some exceptional wine and laid the quality foundations of what Cullen wines have become.
1997 - Stewart Van Raalte.
Raconteur, Bon Vivant, writer and all-round personality, Stewart was the first of the non-industry persons to receive the Jack Mann medal. His indefatigable efforts to promote the wines of Western Australia, particularly during the formative years of the South West and Great Southern, were truly outstanding.
1996 - Dennis & Tricia Horgan.
Among the second wave of Margaret River, wine pioneers were the Horgan’s. Their contribution to this region has been and continues to be very significant. Along with their highly regarded wines, the annual Leeuwin Concerts are a major local, national and international tourist drawcard for the region.
1995 - Tony Smith.
Another of the early pioneers. In 1968 Tony planted a trial vineyard in the Mt Barker region of the Great Southern and quickly realised the potential. Further plantings took place in 1971, and in 1974 the first wines were produced under the Plantagenet label. His contribution to and enthusiasm for the Great Southern and the success of the Plantagenet brand has been outstanding.
1994 - Rod Properjohn.
Rod is a wine educator and writer; his contribution to the understanding of wine and especially wine of Western Australia has been significant. As a wine education lecturer at the WA Wine Industry Association, he brought the understanding and appreciation of wine to many hundreds of students.
1993 - John Hanley AM.
John played an important role as a judge and then senior wine judge at the Royal Perth Wine Show, and as a long-term committee member, he made significant contributions to the standing and reputation of the Perth Wine Show. John constantly promoted WA wines and also judged at many other wines shows both within WA and interstate.
1992 - John Tate AM.
In the early 1970s, John Tate and John Evans purchased the Gnangara winery in the Swan Valley and began their winemaking business as Evans & Tate. They soon realised the potential of Margaret River and, in 1974, were among the second wave of enthusiasts to establish vineyards in the area. John Tate made significant contributions as a show judge and wine show committee member of the Royal Perth Wine Show. He was also instrumental in the decision to invite an international wine judge to the Perth Show each year.
1991 - Robin Clarke.
Robin developed a passion for the hospitality industry from a young age working her way up in the Houghton Wine Company as a National Sales Manager and Business Development Manager. Robin joined the Catering Institute of Australia in 1982 as a Fellow and member of the State Council. For many years Robin was an integral part of the team, helping present the Gold Plate Awards each year and with her wealth of knowledge acted as the Chair of Judges.
1990 - Bill Jamieson.
At the time of John Gladstones’ paper, Bill was the State Viticulturist with the Agricultural Department of Western Australia and as such played a pivotal role in the early establishment of both Mt Barker in The Great Southern and Margaret River wine regions. Bill’s enthusiasm for the WA wine industry and his ability to garner some State Government support was of great importance.
1989 - Dr John Gladstones AO.
The inaugural winner and justifiably so. John’s 1965 paper entitled “The Climate and Soils of South Western Australia in Relation to Vine growing” instigated the first plantings in the Margaret River region. Tom Cullity (Vasse Felix), Kevin & Di Cullen (Cullen’s originally Willyabrup Wines) and Bill Pannell (Moss Wood) followed John’s advice and between them were the foundation members of this now world-famous wine region.