Bob Hawke’s granddaughter Sophie Taylor-Price continues his Antarctic legacy
The late former Prime Minister Bob Hawke’s granddaughter is continuing his legacy and following her own passion for Antarctica as she takes up a role on the Board of the Antarctic Science Foundation.
New Board member Sophie Taylor-Price
Sustainability consultant Sophie Taylor-Price said that her grandfather’s despair about the impacts of climate change and belief in the importance of Antarctic science was her inspiration to join the Foundation.
“Antarctica is the engine room of the world’s climate. Antarctic science is the key that can unlock secrets of past and present climate to help us to predict and manage the future,” she said.
“I’m proud to have joined the Board of the Antarctic Science Foundation to continue my Pop’s legacy. The Foundation aims to become the leading global foundation investing in Antarctic science to secure the planet’s future.”
The Antarctic Science Foundation is a young charity building public-private partnerships and raising funds for research to understand climate change, protect vulnerable species and protect the health of the Southern Ocean.
Sophie Taylor-Price in Antarctica in 2012
Ms Taylor-Price’s new role was announced today as the world celebrates the sixtieth anniversary of the signing of the Antarctic Treaty, a success story of global cooperation in reserving Antarctica as a continent for peace and science.
In 1989 Bob Hawke led the international push for the rejection of mining in Antarctica, instead promoting the frozen and fragile continent as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science.
“My pop’s extraordinary achievements in securing international agreement to the Madrid Protocol inspires me to continue the work to protect and understand this great wilderness,” said Ms Taylor-Price.
“As he reflected on his life in his twilight years, he was most proud of his role in driving Australia’s leadership in Antarctica. I think he would be proud of me, knowing that I will fight to ensure Australia continues to lead the way in Antarctic conservation and science.”
Join the Antarctic Science Foundation this festive season with a gift card that supports critical Antarctic science.