Sport Diver Editor Ty Sawyer "A Tale of Two Reefs" is the winner of the second annual Henry Lawson Award for Travel Writing, an honor created by Tourism Australia and Qantas Airways. Named in memory of one of Australia's most loved literary figures, the award recognizes the best travel stories about Australia published in North America in 2005. Over 30 newspaper, magazine and online travel articles were entered by North American journalists. Judging criteria for the Henry Lawson Award focused on the quality of writing as well as the work's effectiveness in communicating Australia's personality and uniqueness as a travel destination. The judging for the contest remained tight, yet Sawyer's interesting mix of adventure and comparing life above and below the water in two different reef areas, the Great Barrier Reef and Lord Howe Island captured the judges' attention. Winner Ty Sawyer explained his story background and context. "The premise was an edge of the earth adventure through two completely unique coral worlds. The goal was to get the essence of the destination, and the experience and give readers a vivid sense of what makes travel to Australia and these particular corners of this remarkable country so unique, achievable and memorable," Sawyer said. As one of the judges, Australian Gourmet Traveller editor Andy Harris expressed, "My favourite stories this year were in the action mould that revealed the diversity of this barren yet fertile land." The judging panel was comprised of both media and tourism figures, including Harris, Tourism Australia Chairman and former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia Tim Fischer, Tourism Australia boardwoman and former journalist Valerie Davies and Michael Abraham, Qantas Airways Marketing Communications Manager North America. The award was announced by Tourism Australia Chairman Tim Fischer and Qantas Airways Senior Executive Vice President Americas and Pacific, Wally R. Mariani.

Chairman Fischer explained the importance of the award to Australia. "Since the days that the great American writer Mark Twain caught sixteen trains, visited five states and shared his rich journey around Australia with others, Australians have long enjoyed and appreciated the great works of writers from North America who take the time to get to know the real Australia," Fischer said. "This award named in honor of one of our best writers is an excellent way to celebrate this long tradition." Wally R. Mariani added why Qantas Airways is excited to support this prestigious award. "Qantas Airways congratulates Ty Sawyer with this year's prestigious award. We know there are many types of travelers with different needs. As Australia's global airline, Qantas is proud to acknowledge the array of literary efforts and talent from writers in North America who effectively interpret their unique Australian experiences into exciting stories." An award winning photographer and writer (Sawyer is also the current Editor in Chief of Sport Diver and Editorial Director of ISLANDS magazine), Sawyer is also a Fellow National of the renowned Explorer's Club, a board member of the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame, member of the American Society of Magazine editor and an avid adventurer visiting more than 85 countries. Writer's stories varied from memorable cattle drives in South Australia and Queensland and food adventures in Tasmania and Melbourne to encounters with aboriginal cultures and quirky meetings with the locals throughout the country. The yearly award was named for the late Henry Lawson, Australia's most loved poet and writer. Believed by many to be the first writer to truly capture the uniqueness of the Australian character and way of life, Lawson wrote for the legendary Bulletin magazine and crafted Australia's most respected short stories and poems, including "Andy's Gone with Cattle," "The Roaring Days" and "The Drover's Wife". For more information about the award, please visit www.australia.com/henrylawson