Adventure junkie loves ‘day at the office’

Diving with great white sharks and discovering shipwrecks is considered a “good day at the office” for Hugh Edwards.                     
 
The self-proclaimed adrenalin junkie took a giant leap of faith when, at the age of 35, he threw in his job as a journalist and pursued a life-long dream to dive deep underwater and document his adventures.
 
Now 76 and with no plans to slow down, Mr Edwards, of Swanbourne, has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) as part of the Queen’s Birthday honours.
 
His research over the past 50 years has been instrumental in the discovery of several historical wrecks.
 
He has also filmed underwater documentaries and worked alongside the late crocodile hunter, Steve Irwin, saying he was “a thoroughly nice person”.
 
An award-winning author, Mr Edwards has penned more than 30 novels plus a number of historical books on his home state.

“Adventure is as addictive as any drug and you don’t realise that until you look back how one thing has led to another,” Mr Edwards said

“It’s a great thrill to be acknowledged for something I enjoy doing.”
 
Mr Edwards said he was most proud of his contribution to the discovery of the Dutch ship Batavia, and uncovering one of Australia’s darkest stories of mutiny after its sinking in 1629.
 
The father of three and grandfather of five plans to release a new book next year.

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Contest for best looking dog heats up

WEST Australian dog owners are getting busy grooming their four-legged friends as The Sunday Times and PerthNow search for the state’s best-looking canines.  

 

 

More than 200 entries have been emailed in so far for WA’s top dog categories.  

Two-year-old bernese mountain dog Borris, weighing in at 36kg, is in the running for honours as best-looking big dog. His owner has called him a “gentle giant”.

Mel Birch and her children Mikey, 13, Mason, 9 and Taylah, 7, of Helena Valley welcomed their second family shih tzu, Moshi, two years ago.

Moshi will be competing in the category of cutest small dog.

“His best qualities would be his super-long eyelashes and his ability to fly like Superman – his front legs just leap out when he jumps off ledges and it makes everyone laugh,” Ms Birch said.

“People think he’s a girl because of how long his eyelashes are, but he’s just a pretty boy.”

Long-haired miniature dachshund Piper is another heart-melter in the cutest small-dog category.

There are categories also for ugliest dog and the dog that looks most like its owner.

The winner of each category will receive $100.

www.news.com.au

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