Highest awards of the Alpine Association for 2017

The highest awards of the Alpine Association for 2017 are a tribute to dedicated volunteers.



The Alpine Association of Slovenia awards the highest recognitions each year as a modest reward and expression of respect to recipients for their long-term and tireless voluntary work. At the solemn ceremony in Mislinja on December 2, 2017, ten deserving individuals who have left an exceptional mark on mountaineering and the mountaineering organization received PZS solemn certificates, while 21 mountaineers received commemorative plaques for life milestones for their successful and dedicated work. In addition to the highest awards, the PZS leadership also presented five awards for special achievements in 2017.



The award ceremony, prepared by the Alpine Association of Slovenia (PZS) in collaboration with the Mislinja Mountaineering Association (PD Mislinja) and the Municipality of Mislinja, was attended by numerous guests. Ivan Kotnik addressed the awardees on the threshold of Carinthia as the keynote speaker. "This is an event where we thank all those mountaineering workers who have devoted a significant part of their, especially free, time to work in mountaineering organizations in a solemn, dignified, and respectful manner for their excellent long-term work," emphasized the former top alpinist and educator, recalling the diverse activities of PZS and the Carinthian Janja Garnbret, who will take sport climbing to the Olympic Games, and congratulated the awardees: "They say that living in the past is a matter of taste, working in the past is a matter of ignorance, misunderstanding, and inflexibility. However, it is also true that there are no longer simple and easy paths, and fortunately, there are no impossible paths either. Therefore, dear celebrants and mountaineering friends, be proud of today's event, sincere congratulations, and may your steps remain firm and safe, whether in the mountains or in your home bed."



The highest PZS awards are an expression of respect and a modest attention to individuals for their long-term dedicated and voluntary work in various fields of mountaineering activities. "The presentation of the highest awards of the Alpine Association of Slovenia is one of the most solemn events for the members of our organization every year, a true celebration. A celebration of the highest value that has adorned the mountaineering organization for over a century and is the foundation of its operations - that is dedicated, selfless voluntary work in all basic contents. We mountaineers can undoubtedly be proud of this foundation, as it not only supports everything that numerous generations have created in the field of mountain activities, but volunteering - like similar mountaineering organizations in the alpine region - gives a mark of positive social recognition," emphasized PZS Vice President Miro Eržen and thanked the awardees for their effort, loyalty, and great enthusiasm in their work.



Minister of Defence Andreja Katič highlighted in her welcoming speech the important military mountaineering tradition of Slovenes, whose beginnings date back to the time before World War I and which the Slovenian Army successfully continues today. She emphasized that this tradition also underpins NATO's trust, which has a center of excellence for mountain warfare in Slovenia. Also important in this regard are all the activities carried out by various organizations in the field of mountaineering and mountain rescue in Slovenia, and she is pleased that the Slovenian army successfully cooperates with PZS as well. Slovenian mountaineers can continue to count on assistance in the future, especially for the renovation of mountaineering trails and huts. The gathering was also addressed by the Mayor of the Municipality of Mislinja, mag. Bojan Borovnik, and the President of PD Mislinja, Ivan Arko.



This year's award ceremony in the multipurpose hall in the center of Lopanj in Mislinja was also attended by PZS honorary member Franci Ekar, President of the Fishing Association of Slovenia dr. Miroslav Žaberl, Police Counselor Rajko Likozar Šimunkovič, Acting Director of Triglav National Park Janez Rakar, Head of the Slovenj Gradec UZRS Branch Alan Matijevič, and President of MDO PD Koroške Mirko Tovšak.



The mountaineering-colored cultural event, prepared by members of PD Mislinja, was co-created with music and dance by the Pojoči gorniki quintet, the mixed chamber choir Carinthia Cántat, and the Rej folklore group. The attendees viewed exhibitions of the Beauties of Mislinja through the photo lens of the Foto-firbcev section of DU Mislinja, the lacemakers of DI Mislinja, and the artworks of pupils of OŠ Mislinja, and visited the birthplace of painter Jožeta Tisnikarja. On behalf of all recipients of the awards, recipient of the solemn certificate Rudolf Ambrož thanked the mountaineering friends and organizers.



Recipients of the highest awards of the Alpine Association of Slovenia for 2017



Recipients of PZS SOLEMN CERTIFICATES, the highest awards of the Alpine Association of Slovenia, for 2017 are:

Rudolf Ambrož (PD Radlje ob Dravi) for long-term work in PD Radlje ob Dravi, especially in the economic and guiding field, and for work with youth,

Janez Brojan (PD Dovje-Mojstrana) for very dedicated long-term work in mountaineering, connection with GRS, and selfless assistance to mountaineers in distress,

Franc Bricman (PD Mislinja) for tireless work in PD Mislinja and for leading a large number of mountaineers to our and foreign mountains as a guide,

Peter Čufer (PD Podbrdo) for great contribution to the renovation of the hut on Črni prsti and the construction of the cable car to it; the history of mountaineering in Baška grapa is very rich thanks to him and will remain recorded for future generations,

Anton Marko (PD Šempeter v Savinjski dolini) for long-term work in PD Šempeter v Savinjski dolini and merits in encouraging mass mountaineering participation in the municipality of Žalec,

Ljudmila Merc (PD Prevalje) for very extensive and diligent work in PD Prevalje, especially in the economic and financial field,

Franc Onič (PD Poljčane) for long-term work in guiding, completed marking work, and promoting orienteering in PD Poljčane,

Bogdan Rojc (PD Sežana) for long-term versatile work in PD Sežana, especially in guiding, and for great contribution to the development of adult mountaineering activities,

Anton Šterban (PD Laško) for exceptionally extensive and dedicated work in PD Laško and PZS and for over 50 years of leading mountaineers in the mountains,

Ivan Velikogne (PD Paloma Sladki vrh) for long-term very diligent work in PD Paloma, especially in mountaineering management.



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



For 65 years:

Marko Dakskobler (PD Podbrdo) for great contribution to the development of mountaineering, alpinism, and mountain rescue; spreading the mountaineering spirit and values are his virtues,

Alojz Jerman (PD Kamnik) for very extensive work in guiding and mountain rescue; his calm, friendly, and dignified attitude towards accident victims is still an example to younger rescuers,

Franc Kržan (PD Brežice) for extensive work in guiding, all organized mountaineering schools for adults, and organization of annual youth and family camps,

Zvonko Tavčar (PD Javornik Koroška Bela) for long-term work in PD in management; under his leadership, all constructions and renovations of huts in PD took place for 35 years.



For 70 years:

Franc Breznikar (PD Rimske Toplice) for all the work done at the hut on Kopitnik and for all the years, 22 of them, when he was the hut manager, which is now recognizable throughout Slovenia, not just in Zasavje,

Marija Kotnik Čreslovnik (PD Prevalje), posthumously, for long-term secretarial work in PD and for igniting joy and love for mountains already in preschool children, who with her help developed into responsible mountaineers,

Franc Donša (PD Mura Murska Sobota) for all the marking work done; under his leadership, PD revived after years of dormancy and flourished in all its greatness,

Stanislav Golob (PD Kum Trbovlje) for all the years he held various functions and left an indelible mark in the development and work of PD and its recognition in the Zasavje and wider area,

Marija Lesjak (PD Vinska Gora) for long-term work in the association, during which she persevered despite more difficult periods in the association due to great diligence, dedication, and loyalty to mountaineering and its mission,

Peter Orešnik (PD Ljubno ob Savinji) for work in PD management - construction of bivouac, mountaineering home on Travnik, and lookout tower,

Marica Praznik (PD Krka Novo mesto) for successfully pioneering in the hiking group field and all work dedicated to people with special needs, for which they are immensely grateful to her,

Ljudmila Požun (PD Rimske Toplice) for very extensive and diverse work in PD and work with youth, her merit is the arrangement of the hut on Kopitnik, she is also the initiator of the cittern school and the traditional annual cittern players' meeting on Kopitnik,

Olga Rener (PD Križe) for long-term work reflected in very successful operation and exceptional achievements, especially in work with youth in the youth section and in the guiding section,

Rozalija Skobe (PD Krka Novo mesto) for exceptionally extensive work in PD in guiding and nature conservation; under her leadership, KVGN (Commission for Mountain Nature Protection) gained special recognition,

Mirko Tovšak (PD Mislinja) for long-term leadership of PD Mislinja; under his leadership, the association strengthened numerically and professionally, and his work continued in MDO Koroške and consequently in PZS,

Marjan Zupan (PD Kum Trbovlje) for work in the economic field, under his leadership all maintenance and renovation works were carried out in the hut on Kum, which is the pride of the entire Zasavje.



For 75 years:

Aleš Arih (PD Maribor Matica) for extensive contribution to the development of PD, mountaineering literature, passing on mountaineering values to all, especially youth; he always incorporated culture into all mountaineering activities, thus enriching the entire Slovenian space,

Karel Mali (PD Poljčane) for tireless work in PD, as long-term manager of the Mountaineering Home on Boč he did much work himself (renovation plans), and knew how to obtain funds, material or financial, from various authorities, which always came in handy,

Danica Padjan (PD Vrelec Rogaška Slatina) for long-term work in the association, especially in leading the Polžki section and preparing the annual nature conservation hike; with her activity, she spreads the spirit of mountaineering to older generations who would otherwise not engage in recreation to such an extent.



For 80 years:

Vinko Caf (PD Ruše) for long-term versatile work in PD, especially in promoting mass mountaineering with leading mountaineering trips, acquiring new members, educating young mountaineers, and promoting the association,

Matevž Pogačnik (PD Radovljica) for very rich guiding activity, with full commitment he led school children, adult mountaineers, and Radovljica pensioners; there was hardly any association action in which he was not present.



Awards of the Alpine Association of Slovenia leadership for special achievements in 2017, awarded by the PZS presidency, were received by:

Roman Benet and Nives Meroi - PZS gold honorary badge for all alpinistic achievements and promotion of alpinism,

Stojan Burnik - PZS gold honorary badge for very extensive work in educating and training alpinists and mountaineers,

Elizabeta Gradnik - gold honorary badge for exceptional contribution to collecting and preserving Slovenian mountaineering history,

Eles, d. o. o. - PZS gold honorary badge for 20 years of cooperation and assistance in various fields of mountaineering,

Natalija Štular - PZS praise for exceptional work in museum pedagogy, Petra Udrih - PZS praise for master's work titled Determination of hazard due to snow avalanches in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps using geographic information systems.