Tone Škarja Honorary Member of PZS, Highest Awards to Tireless Volunteers...

Tone Škarja Honorary Member of PZS, Highest Awards to Tireless Volunteers.



The Slovenian Mountaineering Association (PZS) each year expresses respect to recipients with the highest awards for their long-term tireless and dedicated voluntary work in mountaineering. At the ceremonial award ceremony in Laško on December 7, it awarded PZS ceremonial certificates to 11 deserving individuals, PZS commemorative plaques to 25 mountaineers on their life anniversaries, six PZS leadership awards for special achievements, and the honorary member of PZS award, with which it paid tribute to the co-creator of the Slovenian Himalayan story Tone Škarja for his life's work, which includes long-term work in the mountaineering organization and exceptional achievements that raise the reputation of Slovenian alpinism at home and abroad.







The ceremony, which the mountaineering association organized in the city of beer and flowers together with the Mountaineering Club (PD) Laško and the Municipality of Laško, was attended by numerous guests. The recipients of the awards were addressed by the keynote speaker, the Secretary General of the Alpine Convention Alenka Smerkolj, who highlighted the invaluable contribution of PZS and its members and volunteers to achieving the goals of the Alpine Convention: "Sports activities, arrangement of mountaineering infrastructure, tourism, disaster protection, education, and nature conservation - such broad operations require special passion and dedication from all involved, even more so in volunteers who are the implementers of all these activities. Volunteers with countless hours you contribute to the organization's operation represent the foundation of its functioning, and it is right to thank you appropriately for the work done. Your work not only affects the individuals you work with but has a strong impact on the entire environment in which you operate."



The highest PZS awards are an expression of respect and modest attention to individuals for long-term dedicated voluntary work in various fields of mountaineering activities, both in local and broader social environments. "Dear recipients of the highest awards, everything we are proud of as a mountaineering organization would not exist without you. With your work and loyalty, you have significantly contributed to the mountaineering movement being very much alive today. We are glad for such awards, as they are indicators that our mountaineering comrades appreciate our work. We work voluntarily, but we are richly rewarded, with satisfaction from a job well done, as well as with bonds that have been formed among us," emphasized PZS President Jože Rovan. Also speaking were the head of the PZS Membership Committee Tone Jesenko, Mayor of the Municipality of Laško Franc Zdolšek, and Jurij Videc, Vice President of PD Laško, where in three years they will enthusiastically celebrate the centenary of organized mountaineering and where the most beautiful mountaineering trail of 2019, the Rečiška Mountaineering Circular Trail, is located. The mountaineering-colored cultural event was enriched with music by the Men's Choir Laško and the Schaka Brass Quintet. On behalf of all award recipients, Štefan Keber, recipient of the ceremonial certificate, thanked proudly and wittily, and the gathered viewed an exhibition about the Zasavska Mountaineering Trail, the old town center of Laško, and the Laško Brewery.







The Slovenian Mountaineering Association awarded 11 PZS ceremonial certificates in Laško to individuals who have left their mark on mountaineering and the mountaineering organization, 25 PZS commemorative plaques to mountaineers on their life anniversaries (65, 70, 75, 80, and 90 years) for their successful work and exceptional achievements, and 6 PZS leadership awards for special achievements in 2019. With the highest award, honorary member of PZS, the mountaineering organization paid tribute to the alpinist, mountain guide, mountain rescuer, writer, and photographer Tone Škarja, member and leader of numerous alpinistic expeditions to the Himalayas, who together with Aleš Kunaver was the main creator of the Slovenian Himalayan story, for the indelible mark he has left with his versatile, dedicated, and exceptional work in Slovenian and world alpinism. "I am surprised and moved, which is not my habit. I accept this award as recognition for a collective half-century of work in the mountaineering organization, the work of good people and the organization. The award is a beautiful memory of the times when we still knew how to stick together when it came to idealism, which alpinism undoubtedly is, and to all those who remained in the Himalayas," summed up the man from Kamnik, to whom the gathered gave the loudest applause.







Recipients of the Highest Awards of the Slovenian Mountaineering Association for 2019







Recipients of the PZS CEREMONIAL CERTIFICATES, the highest awards of the Slovenian Mountaineering Association, for 2019 are:



Štefan Keber (PD Prevalje) for long-term work in PD Prevalje, for bringing mountaineering closer to the youth, and for connecting mountaineering with culture

Ivan Ivartnik (PD Prevalje) for long-term dedicated work in PD Prevalje, where he is still an indispensable link in the chain,

Ciril Kunst st. (PD Rečica ob Savinji) for long-term very dedicated work in PD Rečica ob Savinji, for work with youth, with which he gave the club stamp to his place,

Vinko Pejovnik (PD Šoštanj) for long-term tireless work in PD Šoštanj, for work with youth, work on mountaineering trails, and all other contributions to the place and club,

Jožef Mežnar (PD Tolmin) for very extensive work in PD Tolmin, especially in the field of mountaineering economy, the hut on Planina Razor is his life's work,

Boris Robič (PD Gozd Martuljk) for long-term very dedicated work in PD Gozd Martuljk, for all the cheerfulness and humor he contributed, making the work pass faster, even if it was very strenuous,

Vincenc Hafner (PD Škofja Loka) for long-term work in PD Škofja Loka, for work with youth, work in mountain guard, and in the economic field; and for all the beautiful words and photographs he shared in lectures,

Jože Kosmač (PD Gorje) for long-term versatile work in PD Gorje, for work with youth, and for advocating the preservation of Gorje natural landmarks and preserving nature for posterity,

Anton Oman (PD Gozd Martuljk) for versatile work in PD Gozd Martuljk, work in GRS, work in alpinistic activities, and work on mountaineering trails,

Franc Maček (PD Podpeč-Preserje) for extensive versatile work in PD Podpeč-Preserje and for active work in promoting mountaineering and nature protection in the Municipality of Brezovica,

Franc Meke (PD Lenart) for very extensive work in PD Lenart, especially in the field of guiding, wanting to bring mountaineering closer to both kindergarten children and retirees.





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







For 90 years: Matej Košir (PD Kamnik) for long-term tireless work in PD Kamnik, especially in the field of mountaineering economy and guiding.







For 80 years:



Adi Kralj (PD Dravograd) for long-term work in PD Dravograd, for excellent work at the Mountaineering Hut Košenjak; there was no work action where he did not participate,

Mira Kralj (PD Dravograd) for long-term work in PD Dravograd, especially in the field of the club's financial operations,

Alojz Hlebanja (PD Gozd Martuljk) for long-lasting, versatile work in PD Gozd Martuljk, he participated in repairing mountaineering trails as well as erecting a memorial in Jasenje,

Miroslav Božič (PD Cerkno) for extensive work in PD Cerkno, especially in the guiding field, as he was the first guide in the club and thus mentor to all others, and for all help in maintaining the hut on Porezen,

Marjan Pergar (PD Hrastnik) for long-term work in PD Hrastnik, where he paid a lot of attention to work with youth and the Mountaineering Hut on Kal,

Marija Košič (PD Maks Meško Ormož) for long-term work in PD Maks Meško Ormož, especially for help in conducting mountaineering camps,

Antun Mlinarević (PD Ptuj) for extensive work in PD Ptuj, he led numerous trips in Slovenia and the Adriatic, he was entrusted with hikes on E-6, he also participated in the creation of several mountaineering guides.





For 75 years:



Rudi Zadnik (PD Škofja Loka) for long-term work in PD Škofja Loka, especially in promoting mountaineering in all age groups and connecting mountaineering with culture,

Zinka Moškon (PD Šoštanj) for extensive work in PD Šoštanj, especially in the field of membership fees, she is also responsible for a series of written articles, notes, and other archival material,

Franc Obreza (PD Kamnik) for work in PD Kamnik, where he organized and led countless trips, a special place in guiding is held by children from Primary School Šmartno v Tuhinju, he also zealously participated in mountaineering economy and renovation of mountaineering trails.





For 70 years:



Alojz Eršte (PD "Bricnik" Muta) for diverse work in PD "Bricnik" Muta from its founding to the present day, for carefully leading mountaineering trips,

Mihael Kersnik (PD Dovje-Mojstrana) for extensive work in PD Dovje-Mojstrana, especially for work with youth, for insisting on erecting a monument to Jakob Aljaž, and for contribution to the conception of the Triglav Museum Collection,

Milan Jerman (PD Vrhnika) for work in PD Vrhnika in erecting a new observation tower and new mountaineering hut on Planina nad Vrhniko, and for leading mountaineering trips,

Aleksander Čičerov (PD Onger Trzin) for extensive work first in PD Viharnik and later in PD Onger Trzin, for organizing and conducting countless one-day and multi-day trips, and for the time he donated as a volunteer to mountaineering,

Miran Cokan (PD Grmada Celje) for diverse work in PD Grmada Celje, especially in the field of mountaineering economy and as a trail marker in maintaining mountaineering trails,

Radivoj Kot (PD Zabukovica) for long-term versatile work in PD Zabukovica, where he always emphasized work with youth, he also acted as a promoter of mountain guard.





For 65 years:



Danijel Kokalj (PD Škofja Loka) for very diligent work in PD Škofja Loka, especially in the field of mountaineering economy and maintaining mountaineering trails,

Mihaela Oman (PD Gozd Martuljk) for work in PD Gozd Martuljk, for striving that the bivouac under Špik always provides shelter to mountaineers, she is also indispensable in the section for mountain nature protection,

Fulvij Živec (Obalni alpinistični klub) for extensive educational work in alpinism, he still gladly shares his rich experiences with younger colleagues, and for work in Mountain Rescue Service,

Peter Sedej (PD Cerkno) for diligent work with youth, for work in mountaineering guiding and mountaineering management,

Radovan Lapanja (PD Cerkno) for work in the alpinistic section from its founding onward, for educating young alpinists, and for work in mountaineering management,

Andrej Vovšek (PD Ruše) for extensive work in PD Ruše, which included organizing and leading mountaineering schools, mountaineering camps, orientation competitions, and work in the economic committee,

Boris Pučko (PD Maribor Matica) for extensive work in mountaineering guiding adults, guiding toddlers from kindergarten and also older children, and for marking work in the PD and in MDO PD Podravja,

Marko Simerl (PD Večer Maribor) for work in almost all bodies of PD Večer Maribor, for work in MDO PD Podravja, guiding work, work in mountain guard, and for care to preserve the pasqueflower on Boč.





Awards from the leadership of the Slovenian Mountaineering Association for special achievements in 2019, awarded by the PZS presidency, were received by:



Aswin Kumar Shrestha, Honorary Consul General of Nepal in Slovenia - PZS golden honorary badge for his contribution to successful cooperation between Nepal and Slovenia in mountaineering and alpinism,

Martin Kavčič - PZS golden honorary badge for his contribution to the renovation and arrangement of Aljaž Tower,

Gorazd Lemajič - PZS golden honorary badge for his contribution to raising public awareness about the role and importance of Aljaž Tower and appropriate attitude towards this symbol of Slovenians,

Jernej Hudolin - PZS golden honorary badge as recognition for his contribution to the renovation and arrangement of Aljaž Tower,

Andrej Kokalj - PZS golden honorary badge for great contribution to the recognition of sport climbing and long-term organizational work in sport climbing,

Timotej Rajgelj - PZS commendation for the master's thesis titled Sport Climbing for Children and Games on the Climbing Wall.



We sincerely thank all award recipients for their diligent work in the mountaineering organization and heartily congratulate them!