PRESIDENT'S NOTES
23 January 2004
Dear Colleague,
We are looking forward to getting our Jubilee year activities underway with the launching of the Academy's 50th Anniversary flags by the Governor-General, Major-General Michael Jeffery, at a reception to be held at Government House between 5pm and 6pm on 19 February. This event will also mark the 50th anniversary of the Queen's presentation of the Royal Charter to the Academy's Founding President, Sir Mark Oliphant. Fellows of the Academy of Science who will be in Canberra on that day and would like to join Council and past presidents of the Academy at the reception, please email me at mailto:president@science.org.au by 2 February or by phone on (02) 6247 5777.
As Frank Fenner recorded in his history of the Australian Academy of Science: the first forty years:
“On 16 February 1954 the 10 members of the provisional Council of the Academy went to Government House, where they were ushered into a small room and welcomed by the Governor-General. They had to wait for some time as Prince Philip, whom the Queen wanted with her, returned late from opening University House. Then the Royal couple arrived with Sir William Slim without fanfare. The Petitioners were introduced and, with a few appropriate words, the Queen handed Oliphant, as President, the Charter of the Academy.”
There are many activities planned for this special year, as you will see below. Details of other events will be circulated as the year progresses.
With best wishes,
Jim
50th ANNIVERSARY EVENTS
National Youth Science Forum
The first event for our golden jubilee year focused on the scientists of the future, with the Academy hosting around 150 Year 12 students from the National Youth Science Forum for their welcome lecture at the Shine Dome in early January. Rod Rickards extended a welcome to the students on behalf of the Academy and a number of Fellows joined the students for morning tea at the Dome.
Science at the Shine Dome
Science at the Shine Dome this year runs from Wednesday 5–Friday 7 May. It will include some special anniversary activities. The Academy’s commemorative flags will fly along Commonwealth Avenue in Canberra at various times during the year, including during May to coincide with Science at the Shine Dome.
You may recall that we have been developing a travelling exhibition as a highlight of our anniversary celebrations. This exhibition will be launched at the National Museum of Australia on the evening of Wednesday 5 May as part of our Science at the Shine Dome activities. The exhibition tells the story behind nine scientific innovations and achievements that have impacted on Australian society and culture. It showcases Australian science and the role of Australian scientists in shaping life as we know it. The exhibition will travel to capital cities during 2004 and then to regional centres throughout 2005. An itinerary for the tour will soon be available on the Academy’s website.
While the travelling exhibition highlights past scientific achievements, our annual symposium on Friday 7 May celebrates the future of Australian science. The symposium will feature eight of Australia's top young scientists – all previous winners of the Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year or the Science Minister's Prize for Life Scientist of the Year. The program is available on our website at http://www.science.org.au/sats2004/index.htm.
FENNER POPULATION AND ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE
The name of the Fenner Conference - to be held at the Shine Dome on 24-25 May - has changed slightly to Understanding the population-environment debate: Bridging disciplinary divides to better reflect the conference focus.
The main speakers have accepted invitations to present at the conference. They include two plenary speakers: Professor Julie Thompson Klein from Wayne State University, Detroit - an internationally renowned and published expert on the origins of disciplines and interdisciplinary discourse and Dr Paul Monk, Principal of Austhink - an expert in argument complexity and mapping and a widely published commentator on public affairs.
The guest dinner speaker is Phillip Toyne, Director of EcoFutures Pty Ltd, and formerly Head of the Australian Conservation Foundation and Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of the Environment. Professor Ian Lowe, Chair of the National State of the Environment Reporting Committee 1996, will act in the capacity of raconteur - and chair a daily summary session.
Further information will be available on the Academy's website in the first week of February (http://www.science.org.au/).
FOR THE FELLOWSHIP
Academy Medal
The Academy Medal has been awarded on only one occasion. In 1990 it was awarded to the then prime minister, the Hon. RJL Hawke. Council invites nominations from the Fellowship for the Academy Medal. Please email your nominations to me at mailto:president@science.org.au, by fax on (02) 6257 4620 or by mail to GPO Box 783, Canberra, ACT 2601. You may wish to include a short statement describing how your nominee has significantly advanced the cause of science and technology in Australia or who has, or is deemed to have, made a substantial contribution to the Academy. The closing date for nominations is 23 February.
The revised Standing Order relating to the Academy Medal was approved by Council in 2003, as follows:
Academy Medal for contributions to science and technology
The Academy Medal recognises outstanding contributions to science by means other than the conduct of scientific research 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, or is deemed to have, made a substantial contribution to the Academy. Council may decide to award an Academy medal after the proposal by the President of a candidate. In milestone anniversary years (generally every 25 years), the medal may be awarded to up to three persons. Normally, the medal would be awarded no more frequently than once in three years.
DIARY DATES 2004
28 January. Deadline for nominations for the Dan David Prize (http://www.dandavidprize.org/).
29-31 January. Australian Synchrotron: A Workshop for Potential Users.
2 February. 18th Australian Conference on Microscopy and Microanalysis, Geelong Victoria.
2 February – 1 March. Applications for the next assessment round of the Department of Education, Science and Training's Competitive Grants component of the Innovation Access Program – International Science and Technology, for international research and development cooperation. Information and guidelines are available at http://www.dest.gov.au/science/iap, by email: mailto:ist@dest.gov.au or by phoning (02) 6240 5014.
8-11 February. Third Australian Soilborne Diseases Symposium.
9-13 February. 17th Australian Geological Convention, Hobart Tasmania.
23 February. Deadline for nominations from Academy Fellows for the Academy Medal. See item above.
28 February. Deadline for applications for Visiting Fellowship for a Senior Academic Woman in Engineering and Information Sciences at the Australian National University (http://www.rsise.anu.edu.au/nieis/VF.html).
26-28 March. Commercialisation Forum and Fair of Ideas, Sydney.
30 April. Deadline for applications for the Cambridge Australia Trust Scholarships (http://www.anu.edu.au/cabs/scholarships/cambridge/cambridge-apply.html).
5-7 May. Science at the Shine Dome, incorporating the Academy's Annual General Meeting (http://www.science.org.au/sats2004/index.htm).
24-25 May. Fenner Conference on the Environment. See item above.
COUNCIL MEMBERS (www.science.org.au/fellows/council/)
President, Jim Peacock
phone (02) 6246 5250, fax (02) 6246 5530
mailto:jim.peacock@csiro.au
Secretary (Physical Sciences), Bruce McKellar
phone (03) 9344 5122, mailto:b.mckellar@physics.unimelb.edu.au
Secretary (Biological Sciences), John Shine
phone (02) 9295 8120, mailto:j.shine@garvan.org.au
Secretary (Science Policy), Michael Barber
phone (02) 6276 6388, mailto:michael.barber@csiro.au
Secretary (Education and Public Awareness), John McKenzie
phone (03) 8344 6407, mailto:dean@science.unimelb.edu.au
Foreign Secretary, Kurt Lambeck
phone (02) 6125 5161, mailto:kurt.lambeck@anu.edu.au
Treasurer, Ian McDougall
phone (02) 6125 4136, mailto:Ian.McDougall@anu.edu.au
