PROJECT FOUNDER

A LIFETIME OF LEADERSHIP

Earle has planned, launched and led expeditions to remote wilderness regions and held a range of executive education and consulting leadership roles for decades.

During the 1980's Earle explored more than half of Greenland's navigable coast, travelling by steel yacht and sea kayak. He has an extensive deep knowledge of Greenland's cultural and exploration history, and during his years as founding CEO of the Oceanic Research Institute, has gained a solid foundation of Ocean and climate science relating to Greenland's pre-eminent position as the world's most climate-endangered country.

AWARDS



Fellow: Royal Geographical Society, UK, elected 1984


Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Trust Award



Olegas Truchanas Expedition Canoeing Award





FIELD LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE



Leader: First Australian Arctic Expedition, East Greenland


Leader: First British Australian Exploration Voyage, Arctic


Leader: First Australian Exploration, West Greenland



Leader: First northerly sea kayak crossing of Bass Strait


Leader: First international kayak trans-navigation of Great Glen, Scotland


Leader: First commercial raft descent of the Sun Kosi, Himalaya - Peregrine



Co-leader: First sea kayak circumnavigation of Tasmania


Co-Leader: First European exploration of Quail Creek region, Kimberley


Chief Leader: ANZSES Scientific Expedition, Granite Mountain

MAJOR EXPEDITION LEADERSHIP

Leader of Australia’s first expedition to the Arctic (1985-1986)

Creation and leadership of Australia’s first Arctic expedition, during 1985-86. An extraordinarily complex $2.5 million (2022) project, which generated significant national print and broadcast media coverage and produced an internationally released TV documentary film and critically acclaimed book. Its operation stretched more than halfway around the world, involved eight countries, British royalty, prominent Australian and UK business, political and social leaders, scientific organisations, and a range of commercial sponsors.



MAJOR EVENT LEADERSHIP

Director: Tall Ships Victoria (1987-1988)



Appointed in 1987 Director of the Tall Ships spectacular where the Prime Minister officially opened Australia’s 1988 Bicentenary Year celebrations. Event involved some 75 ships and 500 crew, management of 500 local volunteers, and coordination of four city councils, plus State and Federal governments. With more than 1.5 million visitors, remains the biggest staged event in Victoria’s history.



PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTOR & EDUCATOR


Professional Mountain Instructor (Scotland, Lake District & North Wales) (1973-1978)

Earle's career as a professional mountain instructor and expedition leader began at age 16 on an Outward Bound Senior Program in Australia. Later, in Scotland's Cairngorm mountains he completed the rigorous Winter Mountain Leadership program and Advanced Winter Mountain Rescue program, working with the British Army Air Corps. In the mountains of North Wales he completed assessments in Advanced Whitewater Kayak, Senior Instructor Kayak, Mountain Leadership, and Mountain Instructor. He also completed the cutting-edge Diploma of Outdoor Education, created and directed by the great Bill March, trail-blazing adventure educator and ice-climber, and leader of the first Canadian Everest ascent. As a professional mountain instructor in Scotland, the Lake District, and North Wales, highlights included long-form transformation of youth recidivists in sub-Arctic conditions; adventure mountain training for young industry leaders; remote mobile expeditions with international participants. Has had extensive international field adventure experience including Greece, Austria, Italy, Himalayas, and the Australian Alps.



AUTHOR & FILMMAKER 

Author of Savage Coast – the leader’s story of Australia’s first Arctic Expedition.



Earle’s acclaimed book, 'Savage Coast - Inside Australia's First Arctic Expedition' is now in its second fully revised edition. It is a true story of survival in the Arctic wilderness in early winter. A valuable record of the complexities of leadership during constant challenge, it provides detailed real-world insights for leaders wanting to prepare for futures of escalating uncertainty. Held in private collections and libraries worldwide, including Oxford University and Royal Geographical Society.



Producer of Savage Coast - a one-hour documentary film shot in Arctic Greenland.

Produced by Earle's film company, Pickwood River. Filmed on location in East Greenland during early winter storms in 1985-86. Internationally released through Discovery, CBC, BBC, ABC. Also screened in Eastern Europe, South America, Israel, South Africa, and more recently in France and Denmark. Filmed by Emmy Award-winning cinematographer Mike Boland (Tribal Wisdom, The Nature of Things) and Oscar-nominated sound recordist Greg Burgmann (The Thin Red Line).