ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 45 | June 2000
Sir Gustav Nossal to deliver Ken Myer Lecture
Right: Sir Gustav Nossal, who says he is 'very excited' about delivering the Kenneth Myer Lecture. Photograph: Loui Seselja
World renowned scientist and Australian of the Year 2000, Professor Sir Gustav Nossal, AC, CBE will deliver this years prestigious Kenneth Myer lecture.
Sir Gustav, a member of the National Library of Australia Council from 1973 to 1976, is the Deputy Chairman of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. In May the Council handed down its long-awaited reconciliation documents: Australian Declaration Towards Reconciliation and Roadmap for Reconciliation.
Sir Gustav, who migrated to Australia from Austria in 1939, is a leading figure in immunology research and programs on both a national and global scale. Earlier this year, he was named Australian of the Year for his contributions to medical science and to his country. His groundbreaking work helped build the foundations of modern immunology. Sir Gustav has been in the front-line of the global battle against disease through his direct involvement with the World Health Organisation since 1967. Closer to home Sir Gustav has helped shape the scientific affairs of Australia for three decades. He has provided government with valuable input to policy making and as a public commentator about scientific and medical issues he has encouraged continued popular and political interest in science. His engaging lectures, radio and television appearances continue to inspire future generations of scientists.
Retirement has not slowed the pace of life for Sir Gustav. As well as his involvement in charitable work and patronage of various organisations, he is Chairman of the Centenary of Federation Victoria Committee and Deputy Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Global Foundation, which promotes Australias international interests.
Sir Gustav joins a long line of other notable Australians, including Gough Whitlam, Nugget Coombs, Elizabeth Reid and Emeritus Professor John Mulvaney, invited to speak at the lecture. The event is named after Kenneth Baillieu Myer, AC, a prominent businessman and Library benefactor who had a long association with the institution before his death in a plane crash in 1992. It was his intention that the lecture be an occasion for a statement of some significance about an aspect of Australian endeavour. Kenneth Myer was chairman of the NLA Council during Sir Gustavs term. A member of the Interim Council of the Library in 1960, Kenneth Myer was closely involved in the planning for the Library building. After the Library was established on a statutory basis in March 1961, he remained a member of the Council for 21 years until his retirement in 1982.
In a break with tradition, the lecture will be held in Melbourne this year and not in Canberra. The function is being arranged by the Friends of the National Library in association with the State Library of Victoria. It is on Wednesday, 30 August at the Victorian Arts Centre, an institution that has strong ties with the Myer family. The lecture is free to invited guests and the public. It starts at 6 pm in the ANZ Pavilion Auditorium and will be followed by a reception. Bookings are essential. RSVP 23 August, State Library of Victoria: (03) 9669 9799.
Left: Kenneth Myer, after whom the lecture is named.
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