MUIR, Brigitte

Explorer
University of Ballarat, Horsham

Brigitte Muir is both the first Australian woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, and climb the highest peak in each continent.

Born in Belgium, Muir settled in the Western Victorian town of Natimuk after immigrating to Australia. From this base she studied art at the University of Ballarat, Horsham Campus.

Brigitte Muir reached the summit of Mount Everest on 27 May 1997. This was her fourth attempt to conquer Everest, and was the final of the 'seven summits'. She received an Australian Geographic award for Excellence in 1997, and an Order of Australia Medal in 2000. In January 2001 she became the first woman to walk the South Pole, possibly visiting some of the sites known by former Ballarat School of Mines Principal Dick Richards, who was part of Shackleton's expedition. In 1998 Brigitte Muir's autobiography 'The Wind in My Hair' was published.

This biography researched by Clare Gervasoni, March 2006.