Ernest W. Palmer
1916 -1991
1999 Inductee
Ern Palmer carved a lasting place for himself among the all-time greats of game fishing both through his prowess as a saltwater angler and his contributions as conservationist, organizer, and administrator. Born in Adelaide, South Australia, Palmer began handline fishing at age six. As a teenager, he found a thrilling new experience -- fighting a strong fish on rod and reel. The thrill, though repeated countless times throughout his life, never lost its effect. Palmer received the Bachelor of Laws in 1939 at Adelaide University, but the beginning of his career was interrupted by World War II. Ern served as Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Navy, eventually becoming Staff Officer to the Chief of Naval Staff. After the war, Palmer put together a stunning career as a barrister, businessman, university lecturer, and as a bluewater angler. Among Ern's more notable captures are a giant black marlin at 1,148 pounds, and a white pointer shark at 1,344 pounds. Ern won the Cairns Centenary Black Marlin Tournament in 1977. Palmer held high offices in the Game Fishing Club of South Australia and the Game Fishing Association of Australia; he promoted the formation of the New Zealand Game Fishing Council; and was an organizer, team captain, and judge for numerous national and international tournaments. In 1962, Ern became Australia's representative to the International Game Fish Association. In 1976 Palmer was appointed to the IGFA Board of Trustees --the first IGFA trustee ever to be appointed from outside the U.S.A.-and served with distinction for the remainder of his life.
