The Walkley Awards are presented to people who have made notable achievements in the Australian media.
He reported on a few of the country's big events, including the Bougainville crisis, the Aitape tsunami and the eruption of the Rabaul volcano. He also captained the national rugby league side, the Kumuls.
In 1984 he was deported from PNG but was welcomed back in 1990 when he was awarded an MBE.
The 66-year-old is currently afflicted by motor neurone disease.
