A man of many skills, Ballito engineering and environmental geologist Dr GV Price is a husband of 46 years, a father, grandfather and an avid sportsman. We chatted to him after he recently received a very prestigious award.
is lists of achievements, both professional and sporting, are long and impressive. But GV’s most recent award, from the South African Institute for Engineering & Environmental Geologists (SAIEG), is certainly one of the most prestigious.
Receiving the SAIEG Gold Medal Award is not something that happens every day – or even every year. It is the premier award of the Institute and, according to the official citation, “is presented in recognition of outstanding lifelong service by an individual to the profession of Engineering and Environmental Geology in South Africa.” The award is only given out in years where a suitable recipient has been recognised. One just has to take a quick look at his impressive CV to understand why GV was presented this award.
After matriculating from Queens College Boys High School in 1970, GV completed his national service and then studied geology at Natal University. Afterwards, he did a Master’s degree in engineering geology at the University of Pretoria and finally a PhD in engineering geology in 1991.
Asked why he decided to study engineering GV says, “I chose this field because ever since I can remember I had a fascination with the earth’s crust. As a small boy I picked up pebbles and rock fragments and carted them home. I used my pocket money to buy strangely shaped and coloured mineral rock specimens. Engineering Geology has allowed me to combine geology and engineering as a life skill.”
Throughout his career GV has worked on a number of impressive projects around Africa, Afghanistan, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Ireland. His job over the years, he says, has involved interrogating anything of a civil engineering nature below the surface.
“Foundations for buildings, bridges and dams and tunnel investigations to predict not only rockmass conditions but also stability of a newly opened void. Also, stability of deep excavations in soil and rock, prospecting for materials with which to use in building all of these and investigation of problem foundations such as compressible (or expansive) clays, sands with a collapsible grain structure, sudden sinkholes in dolomitic areas … the list goes on.”
I chose this field because ever since I can remember I had a fascination with the earth’s crust.
But despite his many work achievements, GV’s true passion, it seems, remains his family. Asked why he decided to settle in Ballito he simply says, “my life partner of 46 years, Lil, is originally from Estcourt and always yearned to be back in KZN. Of course, what a beautiful lady wants is what a beautiful lady gets!”
The couple’s daughter Taryn and son-in-law Russell live in Salt Rock with four of their five grandsons. His son Shane lives in Australia. “When WorleyParsons asked me to run their Eastern operations from Durban, it was a chance to live near Tat and family. Besides that, we love the North Coast. Warm weather, beautiful beaches, chilled and happy people, close family and good friends … an obvious choice!
GV is also an accomplished sportsman, with a particularly impressive canoeing background. “I have a soft spot for canoeing. It’s amazing going down a river, enjoying the excitement of the rapids, camaraderie with friends and nature (including the occasional crocodile!).” He has completed 40 Dusi Canoe Marathons, with his last one being a highlight. “My son-in-law and I did it together and had to complete the final 22 kilometres swimming, climbing, walking and dragging our broken boat all the way to Durban. All that without one bad word and still finishing in time!”
Other sporting highlights include his 10th Comrades, the Iron Man in PE (he was already in his mid-fifties!), kayaking in Antarctica and completing 20 Fish River canoe marathons. He also achieved his provincial colours for canoeing. “Oh, and importantly, I have completed at least one Dusi canoe marathon with my wife and both my children!”
Still very active GV canoes three times a week with a group called the ‘Salty Dogs’ and mountain bikes regularly with the ‘Canebrakers’ at Holla Trails. He also does karate twice a week where he is working his way to his purple belt and runs with his ‘speedy spouse’, “but she is far too fast for me,” he laughs.
When asked how he feels about receiving a Gold Medal Award GV says, “it’s been a very humbling experience. Its such an amazing honour to be recognised by your peers and when I look at the names of past recipients, I can’t believe I can be in the same elevated space as them! I’m certainly honoured. No other way of looking at it.”
Text: Leah Shone | Photo: Chris Allan Photo
