Agnes Milowka (23 December 1981 – 27 February 2011) was an Australiantechnical diver,underwater photographer,author,maritime archaeologist andcave explorer.[1][2][3]She gained international recognition for penetrating deeper than previous explorers into cave systems across Australia and Florida, and as a public speaker and author on the subjects of diving and maritime archaeology.[4] She died aged 29 while diving in a confined space.
In the summer of 2007 she completed an internship in St. Augustine, Florida, withLAMP (Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program), the research arm of theSt. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum, where she participated in the archaeological excavation of historic shipwreck sites.[7] This work would introduce her to Florida diving, where she would go on to explore extensive cave systems. During her schooling, she participated as the researcher and diver in a series of qualitative underwater archeological research projects.[8][9][10][11][12]
In the effort coordinated byVictorian Speleological Association in 2009, she and James Arundale explored Elk River streamway cave system by an additional 1,400 metres (4,600 ft), which has potential to become the longest continuous stream passage in Victoria, Australia.[13] In a 2009 expedition nearCocklebiddy, she reached the midpoint ofCraig Challen's 2008 line giving her the record for the longest cave dive in Australia for a female.[14] She worked as an underwatergrip in 2008 for a film by Discovery Channel Japan, "Water's Journey" by TV Asahi & Karst Productions. She was part of the National Geographic Nova TV Special expedition toBlue Holes of the Bahamas, in December 2008, as an underwater grip,[15] followed by the expedition to look for similarsinkholes in Queensland, Australia in October 2009.[16]
Milowka was a photographic assistant on theNational Geographic Magazine expedition to Bahamas Caves, November–December 2009, resulting in a few of her photos being published by theNational Geographic website.[17][18] Her underwater photography has been included in multimedia library of the popular website creation softwareWebEasy Professional (since 2007), distributed by Avanquest Software.
In 2010, when living in Florida, she laid over 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) of line across a number of cave systems, the most significant of which was Baptizing (aka Mission) Spring. In August 2010, together with James Toland, she made the connection between Peacock Springs and Baptizing Spring, Florida adding over 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) of passage. She was the presenter and editor for TV series "Agnes Milowka Project" (2010) featuring underwater cave footage shot byWes Skiles,Karst Productions.
Agnes Milowka was a speaker at a number of diving related conferences (OZTek 2009,EuroTek 2010). She acted as astunt double for two female characters on theJames Cameron-produced feature filmSanctum (2011) and worked during the production as cave dive instructor to the actors. In 2011 she was nominated as Dive Rite Ambassador. One of her last jobs was as a diving supervisor onBIRTH, a short film for the TRIMÄPEE fashion label. The movie has been dedicated in her name.
In February 2011, she ran out of air and died after parting company to explore a tight restriction, which necessitated going solo,[19] in the Tank Cave nearTantanoola in the south east ofSouth Australia.[20]
In recognition of Milowka's achievements and legacy, The Agnes Milowka Memorial Environmental Science Award has been established by Mummu Media for underprivileged schools in the area of science, marine studies or exploration. In May 2011 Agnes Milowkaposthumously received the Exploration Award, in recognition of the outstanding and dedicated service to theNational Speleological Society Cave Diving Section, USA.[21]
A number of geologic features have been named in memory and her original exploration work in Australia: "Ag's Dreamtime Passage" in the underwaterOlwolgin Cave on Nullarbor Plain,[22] "Agnes Chamber" inDavies Cave System, Bats Ridge, Victoria[23] and "Milowka Canal" inElk River Cave, Victoria.[24] Her name has been featured in memoriam at 2011 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television ArtsAACTA[25] and in popular sci-fi webcomic bookCrimson Dark, the alliance starship has been named A.W.S. Milowka.[26]
^CEGSA (2010)."CEGSA Annual Report/2006"(PDF).Cave Exploration Group South Australia. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 25 July 2011. Retrieved7 April 2011.
^Williams, Brian; Winslow, Karson; Milowka, Agnes; Raupp, Jason (2006).Port Albert Archaeological Project: Report of Investigations. Manuscripts on file at Maritime Archaeology Unit, Heritage Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^Raupp, Jason Thomas; Winslow, Karson; Milowka, Agnes; Williams, Brian (2007).A View from Above: Archaeological Site Inspections in East Gippsland, Victoria. pp. 46-60, 2006 Program in Maritime Archaeology.: Shannon Research Press.hdl:2328/14589.ISBN978-1-920736-26-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
^Richardson, Tony; Brown, Chris."Cocklebiddy Cave Diving History"(PDF). Cave Divers Association of Australia. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 18 February 2011. Retrieved7 April 2011.
^Kakuk, Brian (October 2010)."Hi Warg Mug Hi".Underwater Speleology, Volume 37 Number 4. National Speleological Society Cave Diving Section. Retrieved12 September 2011.
