Des Gorman honoured with Wyland Award

Dive Pacific founder Dave Moran was proud to present the Wyland Award to the family of Emeritus Professor Des Gorman, days before the one year anniversary of the medical pioneer's passing.

"It was an honour, and very rewarding, to present this award to Des' lovely family," says Dave, who created Dive NZ magazine - now Dive Pacific - in 1990.

What is the Wyland Award?

The Wyland Award recognises individuals or groups who have dedicated significant personal time and effort to benefit the diving community and marine conservation. They are the unsung heroes who make their mark and make a difference for the better.

In 1999, Dave teamed up with Sir Peter Blake to persuade celebrated American marine life artist and conservationist. Robert Wyland to paint a mural in Auckland. Dave published a magazine feature about Wyland painting a massive mural of a blue whale on Auckland's Maritime Museum. Wyland offered one of his art pieces to be awarded to people who made a difference - and through Dive New Zealand magazine the Wyland Foundation Award was born.

About Des Gorman

An alumnus of Waipapa Taumata Rau, Des began his career as an associate professor in occupational medicine at the University of Auckland School of Medicine in 1995 before being promoted to professor (personal chair). He later took on the role of head of the school of Medicine, the first University of Auckland graduate to hold that role. This was followed by the role of Associate Dean - Health Workforce.

During his early career, Des served in the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy. He also worked as the Medical Director of the Royal Adelaide Hospital Hyperbaric Medicine Unit. His extraordinary record of teaching and research in diving and hyperbaric medicine has cemented him as one of the field's most influential figure in modern times. Des' groundbreaking research on the pathophysiology of arterial gas embolism is still cited today.

Des' protege, NOGI award winner, Professor Simon Mitchell, is today regarded as one of the world's top diving physicians - a career Des was very proud to be a part of. 

Among Des' multiple professional and personal achievements, Des founded the 24-hour Diver Emergency Service (DES) in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the South Pacific. After his retirement, he became an honorary professor and awarded the title of Professor Emeritus. A dedicated family man, Des was committed to his wife Christine, daughters Anna, Sarah and Emily, and his mokopuna.

A life well lived

Dave Moran first met Des at the New Zealand Navy Base in Auckland's Devonport. "It was the late 1980s; I needed a diving medical for my commercial diving license," recalls Dave. "Des was very welcoming, and explained various aspects of the health requirements for obtaining and retaining a commercial diving license."

Dave received annual check-ups from Des for a number of years, so when he set up Dive Log NZ - the magazine that is now Dive Pacific - Des was the obvious choice when Dave needed any information relating to dive accidents.

"I always remember one issue we published that had the heading 'Bend-Bend-Bend-Bend," says Dave. "Four experienced divers, I think in their late 40s and early 50s, were being treated at the Navy Base hospital for developing 'the bends' - decompression sickness.

"It was quite soon after diving computers had come onto the market, and Dave questioned the divers. 'You've been diving for years following the US Navy diving tables and never got bent. Two dives a day.' The divers told Des that the computer had informed them they could do a third dive.

"Des retorted - 'What about the computer between your ears!'!

As Dive Log NZ evolved, Des contributed to the magazine's regular medical diving section - something that was later continued by Professor Simon Mitchell.

"Des' many achievements were quite extraordinary," says Dave. "I can't think of anyone more deserving of the Wyland Award."