Update

Jan 2, 2010:

We regret to inform the mountain community of the passing on Sunday, Dec 27, of Anthony John "Papa Tony" Freake.

In 2008, Tony Freake became the third winner of the Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal, awarded "for remarkable service in the conservation of culture and nature in mountainous regions." In collaboration with students from Eton College and other groups, Tony helped the villagers of Phortse (Khumbu, Nepal) construct a school, teacher's house, clinic, gompa, monks' house, and youth center. He installed a micro-hydro plant and water line, and was working on an adult literacy program and cottage industry.

Coincidentally, Seth Sicroff (Projects Coordinator for Mountain Legacy) has just published an article on Tony's work at the Wandering Educators Web site. From that article:

We extend our condolences to Sheila and his friends in Phortse and around the world. Tony's mission will be carried on by his circle of collaborators. Those who would like to send messages of appreciation or find out how they can contribute to the Phortse Community Project may contact Sheila via Tony's email address: tony.freake at mypostoffice.co.uk If you're going to the Khumbu in Nepal, please visit Tony's beloved village of Phortse ... and stop by the gomba to light a butter lamp in gratitude for his life and his example.

On behalf of his friends at Mountain Legacy, Iet me offer our thanks and farewell, Tony. As the Sherpas say to one about to depart on a long journey, Kale pheb! Go slow.

Arjun Adhikari, President
Kumar P. Mainali, General Secretary
Beau Beza, Chair of the Hillary Medal Selection Committee

Oct 20, 2009: Nominations for the 2010 Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal will be accepted as of Monday, November 2, 2009, and close Monday, March 8, 2010. For more information, see the Nominations page. The official nomination form is available here in pdf format, or by email from Dr. Beau Beza at beza@hillarymedal.org.

The 2010 award will include airfare and accommodation to facilitate the honoree’s participation in the Hillary Medal Presentation in Melbourne, Australia. He or she will be invited to discuss the work already accomplished and plans for the future, both informally and also at a formal lecture at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.