ADVENTURER/AUTHOR

Tim Cope is a 29-year old professional adventurer, author, and film-maker whose passions have led him to riding a bicycle for 14 months across Russia and Mongolia to China, rowing a wooden boat 4,500km along the Yenisey River in Siberia to the Arctic Ocean, and most recently three years on horseback from Mongolia to Hungary on the trail of Ghengis khan and the nomads.

To date he is the author of OFF THE RAILS: MOSCOW TO BEIJING BY BICYCLE (Penguin 2003), and maker of two documentary films for ABC Australia and National Geographic Channel. He is currently writing a book, and making a new film series for ABC. Tim was awarded Australian Adventurer of the Year 2006, is a fellow of the Royal Geographic Society, and in November 2007 was honoured by National Geographic in Washington DC at the annual awards as cultural ambassador who traced the equine journeys of Genghis Khan 6,200 miles from Mongolia to Hungary.

In the January - March 2008 edition of Australian Geographic an 18 page feature about Tim's remarkable journey from Mongolia to Hungary has been published. It features not previously seen images from Tim's transparency collection and made the front cover.

To visit Tim's website, click here.

In all my years of education and life, across a number of continents, countries and states, I have had the privilege to listen to speakers across all walks of life. Whether these personalities have been sporting greats, politicians, entertainers or men and women that have reached the pinnacle of their careers, they have all left their motivational mark in some shape or form. Many of them have influenced my life and left a positive impression that have served me well.

However, on the 13 November 2008 I was grateful to have the opportunity to listen to explorer Tim Cope's story. The story, message about his epic journey across five countries from Mongolia to Hungary. Not only was this an experience of a lifetime for Tim, but importantly his message, and the fantastic way he related this to life and education, was certainly the most inspirational message I have ever had the privilege to listen to. Not only was the message inspirational, but it haunted my inner senses, making me feel guilty about not being courageous enough to take on exciting challenges outside the paradigms of my life.

This was certainly the opinion shared by all who heard this message, staff and students. I have little doubt that Tim Cope's story will in some way, now or in the future, inspire our young men and women to see life as a wonderful adventure - and as importantly see that there is a greater meaning to life.

I would encourage Tim to keep reaching out and touching all he meets, on his adventures and in presentations such as the one we experienced.

A truly wonderful young man - motivational, inspirational - and his message needs to be heard far and wide.

Congratulations Tim Cope - your visit, your message, your courage and your spirit of adventure will directly or indirectly shape the future of all who meet and listen to your story".

–Roger Budler of Guildford Grammar School