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MEDIA BROADCASTER AND STRATEGIC LEADER HONOURED BY THE AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
7 May 2004

Dr Norman Swan and Mr Peter Wills were last night honoured by the Australian Academy of Science when they were presented with Academy Medals at the annual black tie dinner in Parliament House, Canberra.

The Academy Medal recognises outstanding contributions to science by a person outside the Fellowship who has, by sustained efforts in the public domain, significantly advanced the cause of science and technology in Australia or who has made a substantial contribution to the Academy.

In presenting the medals, the Academy’s President Dr Jim Peacock said that both Dr Swan and Mr Wills were very deserving recipients.

‘Norman Swan has made substantial contributions to the cause of science and technology in Australia through his wide broadcasting experience, both through the Health Report and Life Matters on ABC Radio National, and as host of Health Dimensions on ABC Television,’ Dr Peacock said.

‘Peter Wills has made outstanding contributions to the cause of science and technology in Australia through his efforts as Chair of the Health and Medical Research Strategic Review. The Wills Review was significant in convincing government that science is indeed a critical 'investment' and this underpinned the policy of Backing Australia’s Ability,’ said Dr Peacock.

The dinner also celebrated the Academy’s 50th anniversary, with the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon John Howard MP, giving the anniversary address.

Professor Rod Home, from the University of Melbourne, was also awarded an Academy Medal for his substantial contributions to the Academy through his tireless work in editing Historical Records of Australian Science. He is overseas on study leave and will be presented with the medal at the Academy’s Science at the Shine Dome conference next year.