11 April 2011
Simon French, 27 of Cremorne has won the prestigious Spirit of
Tasmania Award in the 2011 Southern Cross Young Achiever Awards.
Simon won the Award from a strong field of nominees and was one of
nine category winners announced on Saturday 9 April at Wrest Point
Casino in Hobart, Tasmania. More than 360 guests attended the gala
event.
Winners received a $1,000 prize grant from the Tasmanian
Government and a magnificent trophy.
Simon French is a former Junior Australian National Champion in
Downhill Mountain Biking. He established 'Dirt Art', a company that
constructs mountain bike facilities. He volunteers when not working
as a nurse, advocating for ongoing development of mountain bike
parks in Glenorchy and Clarence and volunteers and coordinates
volunteer days to build tracks and trails. He is President of
Hobart Wheelers Dirt Devils Cycling Club and also the Clarence
Mountain Bike Park Association. Simon is Vice President of
Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park Association and a Downhill Rider
Representative for Mountain Bike Australia.
Simon's biggest achievement so far would be the development of the
Clarence Mountain Bike Park, a facility which he personally lobbied
council for, designed, consulted and constructed. "I now
manage the facility professionally, it was this development that
launched my business Dirt Art," said Simon.
Mr French has a busy schedule planned for the remainder of the
year.
"My company Dirt Art has a full year booked of trail design and
construction both in Tasmania and interstate, across a range of
different projects.
"Much of these projects are based around developing improved
mountain bike infrastructure in the greater Hobart area. I am
soon to take on a new team of Tasmanian staff to assist with our
growing project load," said Simon.
"I have also partnered in the development of a mountain bike
website that will act as the primary internet information source
for local and visiting riders and its anticipated launch will be
mid 2011."
In August Simon plans to head to Switzerland with the Australian
Mountain Bike Team as an assistant coach.
"I will spend a good portion of the year travelling
internationally experiencing some of the worlds best mountain bike
trails."
In what little spare time Simon has, he enjoys spending time with
his girlfriend, family and friends, riding his bike, surfing,
snowboarding, cooking, and kite surfing.
Simon hopes to inspire other young Tasmanians by demonstrating
that with perseverance and commitment, much can be achieved, even
when numerous obstacles are presented.
"I believe we have an excellent lifestyle in Tamsania and we are
fortunate enough to have some of the most interesting and exciting
landscapes for mountain bike trail development anywhere in the
world.
"I would like others to also follow their dreams and realise that
you can make a living doing something you genuinely have a passion
and interest in."
-ends-
For further information contact:
Soniya Fernandez
Spirit of Tasmania, Corporate Communications Coordinator
Email:
saf@spiritoftasmania.com.au
