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The Origin
Founded in 1984 by Joseph Jan Malek, with the support of his wife Diane, the award encourages hunters to experience the full range of big game exotic South Pacific hunting. Joe’s vision was to create an award for hunters who approached the pursuit of South Pacific big game with commitment, respect, and integrity.
What Joseph began, Diane preserved — keeping the awards and their standards intact through 40 years of stewardship. Their daughter, Danielle, has taken up the mantle: honoring the original Malek Award vision while opening the journey to a new generation of hunters.
The Malek Award is not a corporate accolade — it is a family tradition, carried by hand, and evolving with the same care that created it. This is also your journey. Come experience the beauty of Australia and New Zealand with the Malek Award.
Joseph Jan Malek
Founder
Diane P. Malek
Steward of the AWARD
02
The Association
Keeping the journey clear.
Today, the Malek Award Association protects the integrity of the award and keeps the journey clear for hunters. It maintains the award pathway, reviews applications, supports approved outfitters, and promotes hunting throughout the South Pacific.
03
What It Supports
More than a medal.
By encouraging hunters to travel, hunt ethically, and work with local outfitters, the Malek Award supports landowners, conservation, game management, and the preservation of hunting culture.
01
Landowners
Hunting access sustains the families and stations that steward wild country.
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Conservation
Ethical pursuit helps fund habitat protection and species recovery.
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Game management
Regulated harvest keeps populations and ecosystems in balance.
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Hunting culture
Recognition preserves the traditions, craft, and ethics of fair chase.
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Past Winners
A tradition earned in the field.
Every medal, trophy, and Grand Slam recognition represents time, planning, skill, and commitment. Past winners are part of a growing tradition of hunters who have completed meaningful chapters of the South Pacific hunting journey.
the J.J. and D.P. Malek Grand Slam
Robert Kubrick
USA
the J.J. and D.P. Malek Grand Slam
Gordon Alford
Australia
the J.J. and D.P. Malek Grand Slam
Mick McCormick
Australia
the J.J. and D.P. Malek Grand Slam
Andy Samuels Jr.
USA
the J.J. and D.P. Malek Grand Slam
Murray Thomas
Australia
the J.J. and D.P. Malek Grand Slam
Mahlon “Butch” White
USA
the J.J. and D.P. Malek Grand Slam
Dr. Stephen Smith
Australia
the J.J. and D.P. Malek Grand Slam
Natalie Eckel
USA
the J.J. and D.P. Malek Grand Slam
Cary Marmis
USA
the J.J. and D.P. Malek Grand Slam
Dr. Truman Clem
USA
the J.J. and D.P. Malek Grand Slam
Angie Hall
USA
the J.J. and D.P. Malek Grand Slam
Ron Bartels
USA
the J.J. and D.P. Malek Grand Slam
Jay Furney
USA
the J.J. and D.P. Malek Grand Slam
Kenneth Barr
USA
the J.J. and D.P. Malek Grand Slam
Wayne F. Farnsworth, Jr.
USA
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Join Us
Become part of the tradition.
Begin your South Pacific journey, or apply for the recognition you have already earned in the field.
The MALEK Dispatch
Field notes from the South Pacific — four times a year.
News on the Malek Awards. No marketing, no third parties.