Jack Loney

Jack Kenneth Loney (21 October 1925 – 13 February 1995) was an amateur Australian marine historian who published over one hundred books and numerous newspaper and magazine articles. He was a schoolteacher and principal until his retirement. He became interested in maritime history after preparing several general history booklets covering the Otway region of western Victoria, Australia.

Loney lived throughout his life in Portarlington, Victoria with his wife Padge. He had two children, Peter and Sally.

Loney was an inaugural and long-standing member of the Victorian Governments Historic Shipwrecks Advisory Committee (HSAC); the Victorian government decreed a perpetual memorial award - called the Jack Loney Award - for outstanding contribution to maritime history in recognition of Loney's contribution to the preservation of Australia's shipwreck and maritime heritage. The Award is made only as occasion demands, with the recipient chosen by the Victorian Historic Shipwrecks Advisory Committee to the Heritage Council. Winners have included:

• 1998: Peter Stone, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the preservation of Australia's maritime heritage through his community role as a maritime and dive adventure writer, lobbyist, publisher and photographer.
• 2000: Terry Arnott, in recognition of his services to Victoria's maritime heritage at the Australian Institute for Maritime Archaeology (AIMA) and Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology (ASHA).
• 2004: Peter Ronald, the former Victorian Heritage Council member and Victorian Historic Shipwrecks Advisory Committee Chairman, for long-standing contribution to the protection of Victoria's historic shipwrecks and as an advocate of maritime heritage in the state.
• 2009: Dr Leonie Foster, for her groundbreaking research, long-standing committee membership, and mentoring of maritime heritage professionals in Australia.
• 2010: Peter Taylor, shipwreck diver and maritime historian