Gwenda Hurst Memorial Award

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GWENDA HURST 1913-1966

Gwenda Hurst was born in New Zealand, 1913.  She graduated in History from the University of Wellington, N.Z and in Geography from Oxford University.  She married John Hurst and moved to Dublin, 1958 where John was appointed Deputy Librarian at Trinity College Dublin.  Gwenda joined staff of Alexandra College, Dublin to teach geography.

In September 1961, Gwenda convened a meeting of 35 geography teachers in the Royal Irish Academy, under the chairmanship of Dr. Farrington.  The first AGTI committee was thus established. The founding General Meeting of AGTI was held in Newman House, St. Stephens Green in March 1962.  This meeting was chaired by Professor Jones-Hughes.  84 teachers were present from which the first AGTI Officers and committee were elected.  Gwenda Hurst was elected as secretary.  The Cork Branch, the first to be formed, was founded in 1963.  Gwenda Hurst worked as a dedicated committee member of the Geographical Society of Ireland from 1961 to 1965. Gwenda died suddenly in 1966 and her ashes were subsequently scattered in the English Lake District.

The Gwenda Hurst Memorial Medal is an award made in memory of our founder and is presented each year to the person who gains the highest marks in the Department of Education Leaving Certificate Higher Level Geography Exam paper. This Medal is approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter and is gilt on silver. One side has a map of Ireland and the name of the Association inscribed, the reverse has Gwenda Hurst Memorial and a space for the winner's name.

An award is also made to the winner of the article in the current Geographical Viewpoint which the editorial committee of the journal considers deserving of the greatest merit in helping other Geography Teachers to improve their performance and enjoy their subject.