Frank Austin "Paddy" Pallin (1900 – 3 January 1991) was an Australian pioneer bushwalking and camping equipment retailer. He is best known for the ''Paddy Pallin'' chain of outdoors equipment stores he founded and as a founding member of the Search and Rescue arm of the Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs NSW in 1936. This was a predecessor of the Police Search and Rescue unit and

New South Wales State Emergency Service The New South Wales State Emergency Service (NSW SES), an government agency, agency of the Government of New South Wales, is an emergency and rescue service dedicated to assisting the community in times of natural disaster, natural and man-made ...

Biography

Born in

County Durham County Durham, officially simply Durham, is a ceremonial county in North East England.UK General Acts 1997 c. 23Lieutenancies Act 1997 Schedule 1(3). From legislation.gov.uk, retrieved 6 April 2022. The county borders Northumberland and Tyne an ...

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

, in 1900, Pallin developed a love for the outdoors while on family picnics and

Scout Scout may refer to: Youth movement *Scout (Scouting), a child, usually 10–18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement ** Scouts (The Scout Association), section for 10-14 year olds in the United Kingdom ** Scouts BSA, sect ...

trips to the

Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ) is an area of Northern England which was History of Yorkshire, historically a county. Despite no longer being used for administration, Yorkshire retains a strong regional identity. The county was named after its county town, the ...

countryside. After he emigrated to

Sydney Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...

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, in 1926 he worked initially as a sharefarmer and then as an insurance clerk. He became an original member of the Sydney Bush Walkers Club which was founded in 1927 and then, becoming a victim of the

Great Depression The Great Depression was a severe global economic downturn from 1929 to 1939. The period was characterized by high rates of unemployment and poverty, drastic reductions in industrial production and international trade, and widespread bank and ...

in 1930, he began making lightweight, waterproof outdoor equipment and clothing. His business soon began to pay for itself when people realised bushwalking was a cheap activity and no one else was making high quality bush equipment. Pallin opened a store in George Street during the depression and as his business grew moved to other premises throughout the city. In 1933 Pallin wrote and published the book ''Bushwalking and Camping'' which he sold in his stores (the book is still being published today and is in its 14th edition). In 1939 he co-founded, with

Marie Byles Marie Beuzeville Byles (8 April 1900 – 21 November 1979) was an Australian conservationist, pacifist, the first practising female solicitor in New South Wales (NSW), mountaineer, explorer and avid bushwalker, feminist, journalist, and an ori ...

, The Bush Club, a walking club with a different philosophy to the Sydney Bush Walkers Club. (Both clubs are still active today). Pallin started

cross-country skiing Cross-country skiing is a form of skiing whereby skiers traverse snow-covered terrain without use of ski lifts or other assistance. Cross-country skiing is widely practiced as a sport and recreational activity; however, some still use it as a m ...

in 1954 but he quickly capitalised on the boom for the sport by retailing skiing equipment. This led him to become one of the country's biggest skiing, camping and bushwalking manufacturer and retailer. In 1975 he established the Paddy Pallin Foundation to assist conservation projects and in the same year was appointed a

Member of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an Australian honours and awards system, Australian honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Monarch ...

. Pallin was involved in numerous community organisations including: the Youth Hostels Association, the

Scout Association The Scout Association is the largest organisation in the Scout Movement in the Scouting in the United Kingdom, United Kingdom. Following the rapid development of the Scouting, Scout Movement from 1907, The Scout Association was formed in 1910 ...

and the National Parks Association of NSW. Paddy's autobiography ''Never Truly Lost'' is still looked to for inspiration by those interested in getting out into the wilderness.

Notable achievements

* Was a founding member of the Search and Rescue arm of the Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs NSW in 1936. This was a predecessor of the Police Search and Rescue unit and

, and is known today as th
Bush Search and Rescue New South Wales
NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue. * Started the Paddy Pallin outdoor store which still operates to this day. * Helped to establish Pennant Hills Scout Camp. * Started the annual Paddy Pallin Orienteering Competition In 1963. * Established the Paddy Pallin ski classic in 1964. * Was pivotal in the foundation of the
River Canoe Club
' in 1935.

Bibliography

* * *

References

Australian Capital Territory Legislation Page

About Paddy Pallin

External links

Paddy Pallin StoresPaddy Pallin Adventurer Series of PodcastsThe Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs NSWThe Paddy Pallin Foundation
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pallin, Paddy Australian environmentalists 1900 births 1991 deaths Members of the Order of Australia Outdoor clothing brands Hikers