Awarding of the Highest PZS Awards for 2011

On Saturday, December 3, 2011, the solemn awarding of the highest awards of the Alpine Association of Slovenia (PZS) for 2011 took place in the Youth Center Brežice in Brežice. The Alpine Association of Slovenia prepared the awarding in cooperation with the Municipality of Brežice and the Mountaineering Club Brežice.

After the welcome address by Brežice mayor Ivan Molan, the president of the Alpine Association of Slovenia, Bojan Rotovnik, greeted everyone and highlighted volunteering as the foundation of the operations of the Alpine Association, mountaineering clubs, and mountaineering in general. On the occasion of the ending European Year of Volunteering, he also emphasized mountaineering as a way of life. "For almost 120 years, volunteering has been one of the fundamental virtues and at the same time the mission of the mountaineering organization. I can proudly confirm that the same holds true for mountaineers, as work in the field of mountaineering is not connected with financial rewards or material benefits, but the greatest reward for our work is the satisfaction of others who enjoy the fruits of our labor. Therefore, in the current strained social conditions, it is even more important that we maintain voluntariness in mountaineering at all levels of the mountaineering organization, so that we can more effectively confront the crisis and overcome it without major consequences. In its rich history, mountaineering has gone through four social systems, and thanks to voluntary work, we are still one of the largest and most important non-governmental organizations in Slovenia," added President Rotovnik.

The keynote speaker at the ceremony was Olympian and Slovenia's ambassador for sport, tolerance, and fair play, Miroslav Cerar, who emphasized the values of mountaineering, as "mountaineering is a space where both spirit and body are strengthened." Mountaineering and mountains were closely connected with the Olympian, as he spent a lot of time in the mountains; they served athletes for preparations for the most demanding athletic competitions and also as a school for life. He also congratulated the recipients of the highest mountaineering awards: "Congratulations to all recipients of awards and distinctions. You have invested a lot of selfless and sacrificial work, volunteering, in numerous fields of mountaineering, ensuring that others could also enjoy the mountains, without distinction. With your own example, you have pointed out the all-encompassing positive significance of mountaineering and stood out from the masses as bearers of top achievements."

With their presence, they honored the solemn awarding and the recipient mountaineer volunteers, among others: honorary consul of Nepal Aswin Shrestha, president of the Union of Social Organizations of Slovenia Janez Matoh, representative of the Government Office of the Republic of Slovenia for Protection and Rescue Stanislav Lotrič, member of the Management Board of the Fishing Association of Slovenia Djordje Vučkovič, and general secretary of the Alpine Association of Croatia Darko Berljak. In an excellent cultural performance, the Male Choir Cerklje ob Krki, Folklore Group of OŠ Brežice, Vocal Trio De Light, soprano Mihaela Komočar, zither player Tinka Vukić, and Tambura Orchestra KUD Oton Župančič Artiče participated.

Recipients of the highest awards of the Alpine Association of Slovenia for 2011:

Commemorative PZS plaques, which the Alpine Association of Slovenia awards on life anniversaries to its most deserving members for their long-term loyal and exceptionally successful work, were received by:

for 60 years: Marko Goršič (PD Podpeč-Preserje), Milka Merc (PD Prevalje), Žarko Rovšček (PD

Tolmin), Zvone Šere (posthumously; PD Drago Bregar), Janez Vertič (PD Ptuj), Borut Vukovič (PD Litija),

Aldo Zubin (OPD Koper),

for 65 years: Peter Čufer (PD Podbrdo), Marija Sorč (PD Cerkno), Fanika Wiegele (PD Laško),

for 70 years: Ivan Ivartnik (PD Prevalje), Tonica Miglič (PD Ruše), Janez Slabe (PD Logatec), Janez

Trpin (PD Železničar Ljubljana), for 75 years: Franjo Haramija (PD Prevalje), Jože Gobec (PD Železar Štore), Mara Godnič (OPD Koper), Štefka Pavčnik (PD Rimske Toplice),

for 80 years: Vladimir Beč (PD Kamnik), Drago Jeglič (PD Kamnik), Frančiška Pečnik (PD Brežice),

for 90 years: Amalija Jager (PD Šentjur) and

for 95 years: Franc Šet (PD Šentjur).

Recipients of the highest awards of the Alpine Association of Slovenia, solemn PZS certificates, for 2011 are:

Oto Čegovnik (posthumously; PD Prevalje), Viktorija Dabič (PD Ptuj), Drago Ergaver (PD Ajdovščina), Vladimir Habjan (PD Kamnik), Emil Herlec (PD Kranj), Jože Merc (PD Prevalje), Jože Murko (PD TAM Maribor), Stanko Murovec (PD Idrija), and Viktor Stopar (PD Snežnik Ilirska Bistrica).

On behalf of all recipients of the awards, one of the recipients of the highest award in the Alpine Association of Slovenia, the solemn certificate, Drago Ergaver from the Mountaineering Club Ajdovščina, thanked: "Thank you for the award. I am proud of receiving the award, especially because it rewards all the numerous efforts, all the hard work, and also the troubles. In it are the glowing peaks of domestic and foreign mountains that we were allowed to visit, in it is reflected the surface of solitary lakes; in it is the warmth of mountaineering huts, and from it shine the eyes of numerous mountaineering friends and hikers, the warm grips of their hands and the kindness of their words. Thank you for that!" Continuing, he reflected and laid on all our hearts the basis for any action in mountaineering or in life in general: "A person is born into this world with certain talents, but it is important to use them and thereby do something beautiful for oneself and for another, who is thus made happy."

This time, the oldest recipient of the PZS commemorative plaque, 95-year-old Franc Šet, mentioned that the award means a lot to him, as it means they consider the old members and their work. He joined the Mountaineering Club Šentjur, which celebrated its 60th anniversary of operation this year, soon after its establishment, and participated in numerous committees and projects of the club. "What has mountaineering given me for life? Mountaineering is a sport that doesn't cost much, but it is much more cultured than some competitive sport where they also fight. I most liked to go to the local hills, but I also liked to go to Triglav and the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Everywhere it was good for me, I have only good memories," said Šet and joked: "If you go to the mountains in good weather, you always have good memories of the trip." Šet, who still goes to Resevna and to the top of the tower there, also dedicated a few words to the young: "To young mountaineers, I would say, be patient, don't rush through the mountains all at once and don't make too big jumps – progress slowly, step by step, but persistently progress further and higher."

Zdenka Mihelič