Congratulations David Parer AO

David Parer AO

Congratulations to David Parer from the 2024-2025 National Council on behalf of Members of the ANARE Club, on receiving 2024 Australia Day Honour of the Award of Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) from the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, at the Investiture Ceremony held at Government House, Melbourne on Thursday 3 September 2024.

The Award was made for Distinguished Service to Wildlife Cinematography, to Literature as an Author, and to the Environment.

David Parer’s Citation lists the following achievements:

Cinematography

  • Director and Cameraman, Parer & Parer-Cook Wildlife Cinematography, current.
  • Freelance Specialist Wildlife Cameraman, since 2009.
  • Director of Photography/Producer/Cameraman, Natural History Unit, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 1973-2008.

Australian Cinematographers Society

  • Member, Victorian Branch, since 1989.
  • Accreditation Certificate, 1989.

Films/Documentaries

Producer/Cinematographer, various Natural History documentaries including:
  • Ningaloo with Tim Winton, 2021.
  • Wildlife in Colour, 2019.
  • Mawson – 65th Anniversary, 2019.
  • Devil Island, 2013.
  • Out of the Ashes, 2010.
  • Australia – Land of Parrots, 2008.
  • The Dragons of Galapagos, 1999.
  • Islands of the Vampire Birds, 2000.
  • Mysteries of the Ocean Wanderers, 1993.
  • Wolves of the Sea, 1993.
  • Nature of Australia, 1988.
  • Antarctic Man, 1983.
  • Douglas Mawson – The Survivor, 1982.
  • Bird of the Thunderwoman, 1979.
  • Edge of the Cold, 1977.

Publications

  • Co-Author, Platypus: World’s Strangest Animal, Zaurora Books, 2015.
  • Co-Author, Spirit of Australia, Golden Press, 1989.
  • Co-Author, Douglas Mawson – The Survivor, Allela Books/ABC Books, 1983.
  • Contributor, Nature of Australia, Collins, 1988.

Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) Club

  • Chairman, Special Events Committee, 2017-2019.
  • Member, since 1980.

Professional – Other

  • Physicist, Antarctic Division, 1969-1973
  • Wintered, Mawson Station, 1970 and 1972.

Awards and Recognition include:

  • Co-Recipient, Whitley Award, Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, 2016.
  • Best Cinematography (Documentary) Award, Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (AACTAs)/ Australian Film Institute, 2012.
  • Co-Recipient, Phillip Law Medal, for outstanding contributions to Australian Antarctic Science, ANARE Club, 2012.
  • Inducted, Hall of Fame, Australian Cinematographers Society, 2008.
  • Over 130 Australian and international awards for program achievement, cinematography, sound, editing and music, including: Emmy for ‘Outstanding News and Documentary Program Achievement’; Gold Panda for ‘Best Film’ and ‘Best Cinematography’; and three Australian Cinematography Society Milli Awards, 1971-2008.
  • Queen’s Polar Medal, 1978.

Further Reading: