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Sir Gustav Nossal & Dr Graham Mitchell at the BCG
Standing L to R: Sir Gustav Nossal, Dr Cherie Bell, Aimee McCutcheon, Evan Ryan, Mark Phelan. Seated L to R: Dr Graham Mitchell, Larissa Fawcett.
It is always an inspiration to meet someone who has been successful in their field, even more so if that field is your own.
BCG staff, DPI staff and community members were given that opportunity at the Young Scientists Forum last Tuesday.
Amongst world-renowned achievements and involvements, Sir Gustav Nossal and Dr Graham Mitchell are Chief Scientists with DPI/DSE, advising the Department on strategic science issues.
The pair attended the Forum at the BCG in their role fostering leadership and mentoring between scientists.
Sir Gustav Nossal is arguably Australia’s best known scientists, having made an enormous contribution to science and technology, principally in fundamental immunology. He has lectured all around the world to promote science, was given a knighthood in 1977 (plus many other honours) and in 2000 was Australian of the Year.
Dr Graham Mitchell is recognised as one of Australia’s leading biological scientists, with expertise in a wide range of science and technology.
Both have worked at one of Australia’s premier research institutes, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne.
Jason Brand (DPI Horsham) and Tony Fay (DPI Birchip) invited five BCG and DPI staff to make presentations to Gus and Graham. Evan Ryan (DPI Ouyen) spoke about weed management from the PC to the paddock. Cherie Bell (BCG) talked about her role in co-ordinating the BCG research program. Larissa Fawcett (BCG) presented information about the BCG’s new extension tool, Virtual Agronomy. Aimee McCutcheon (DPI Bendigo) spoke about the concept of reference paddocks and future research on farms. Finally, Mark Phelan (BCG) talked about the science behind the science, a senior technical officer’s view of science in action.
The Chief Scientists then gave warm and entertaining presentations about good quality science and ensuring the correct message.
They were both very pleased to see the Year 8 Science class from Birchip P-12 School in the audience with their teacher Ms Claire Russell.
The afternoon provided a chance for the young scientists from the BCG and DPI to speak in depth with Gus and Graham, receiving feedback to questions and comments.
There were many lessons to learn in this fantastic opportunity to talk with two world-renowned scientists.