Paddy Pallin Inspire - Matt Rogerson, Voyage to Heard Is. to Climb Big Ben

Presentation Details:

Mawson’s Peak is rightly celebrated as one of the highest and hardest mountains in Australian territory. Difficulties abound – an approach over thousands of km of wild seas, an uncertain beach landing, ferocious weather and a troublingly active volcano forming the summit. The Four Australian SAS Officers cook up a plan with the Army Alpine Association to catch a ride with a deep ocean trawler and try for a third ascent, via a new route.

Bio: Matt is a 55 year old adventurer, educator and guide passionate about wilderness and helping others share in his wonder and veneration for the natural world. Alongside a 30 year military career in Special Operations, Matt has led four vertical geological survey expeditions to remote Greenland fjords, radar mapped glacial ice in the New Zealand Alps, and held the position of lead rigger and task producer for the television series “SAS Australia” since its inception and held safety, survival and field operations for the first Australian series of “Alone”.

He now works for Peak Learning Adventures, a bespoke adventure company as their lead guide in the Nepalese Himalaya, the coasts and jungle of PNG, and in the Australian high country.

Matt is an enthusiastic mountaineer, having participated in and led several significant mountaineering expeditions, including making, with two others the first Australian ascent of Dhaulagiri (7th highest mountain in the world), and the third ascent of the remote sub-Antarctic Mawson’s Peak. He has climbed and explored extensively in Europe, Middle East, the Americas and Asia.

Matt is an active member of a local Canberra church, and loves woodworking, handcrafting outdoor gear and various human powered pursuits including sea kayaking, pack rafting andbike packing.

The Inspire Adventure Series is a monthly event designed to ignite your passion for the outdoors through captivating presentations by adventurers who share their experiences via multimedia slideshows. Beyond the presentation and Q&A session, there's an opportunity to connect with like-minded people, exchange ideas, and perhaps even find a partner for your next adventure.

We encourage you to bring along children and teenagers—we’d love to inspire the next generation of adventurers too. Join us for an evening of adventure, storytelling, and community.

Paddy Pallin will be hosting nine sessions in 2025, running mostly on Tuesdays from March through November. Snacks and drinks will be provided, but feel free to bring your own food if you have specific dietary requirements. You’re also welcome to BYO drinks, including liquor.

If the event is sold out and you’d like to be placed on a waiting list, please email mkozok@paddypallin.com.au.

Terms and Conditions:

- Tickets are automatically fully refundable up to 2 days before the event. Book today, get refund if your plans changed.

- There are limited 120 seats available, first come first served. If you miss, please expect to take standing position for the length of the event.

- It's non-profit event. Tickets will partially cover the cost of hiring the venue, food, drinks, presenter etc.

- Tickets for those under 15 are free and must be accompanied by an adult guardian.

- If you have purchased a ticket and cannot attend, please send us written notice.