Derek Pugh has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal

A school teacher to generations of Territory kids, Derek Pugh has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal.

Author Derek Pugh with his book that he wrote about Fort Dundas. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

A school teacher to generations of Territory kids, Derek Pugh has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal.

Mr Pugh’s work with the NT Department of Education dates back to 1985, where he was a teacher at Sadadeen Primary in Alice Springs, following a job as a ranger in Kakadu.

He also spent extensive time in the bush as an educator, with stints as a teacher and principal at several bush schools across the Territory until 2002.

Mr Pugh is also an accomplished author, claiming an award for his book Tambora, as well as authoring Darwin: Origin of a City, Darwin 1869, Escape Cliffs, The First Northern Territory Expedition, Fort Dundas, The British in North Australia, Turn Left at the Devil Tree, Tammy Damuljurra and Schoolies.

Mr Pugh was also the owner and chief executive of Brain Compatible Education International in 2014.