Fellows' biographical memoirs

Professor Bryan Womersley was recognised internationally for his work on Australia's macroalgae, describing more than 320 new genera and species.

When the Australian fifty-dollar note was issued in 1972, it bore the heads of two scientists. On one side was Howard Florey, co-discoverer of penicillin. On the other side was Ian Clunies Ross. His reputation was due in part to concrete achievements, but also to the fact that, with a distinctive appearance, personality and style, he caught the imagination of many of those who met him or heard him speak.

A pioneering chemist and engineer, Professor Ian Ritchie AO transformed hydrometallurgy through leadership and research in electrochemistry and gold dissolution.

Ian McDougall was a renowned Earth scientist who gained worldwide distinction for his research in the fields of K-Ar and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology.

Ian Thornton was a fine zoologist, an accomplished academic acknowledged internationally as an authority in his field, and an admired leader and mentor to his colleagues and to generations of students. He came to Australia in early 1968 as Foundation Professor of Zoology at La Trobe University, Melbourne, and remained associated with that department, latterly as Emeritus Professor, for the rest of his life.

Professor Jim Morrison was an expert in the construction of mass spectrometers who pioneered the use of computers with spectroscopic instruments.

Dr James Michael FAA was an expert in mathematical analysis known for his important and deep contributions to surface integrals and the theory of measure on parametric surfaces.

James Meadows Rendel was born on 16 May 1915 in England. He moved to Australia in 1951 to join CSIRO and was appointed Chief of the Division of Animal Genetics in 1959. He was elected to the Australian Academy of Science in 1960, retired from CSIRO in 1980 and died on 4 February 2001. His influence on genetics and the development of the theory and practice of animal breeding in Australia was profound.

Sir Robert Price was an organic chemist who ran the extraordinarily productive and cooperative Australian Phytochemical Survey. He made significant contributions to public sector research and chemistry through his leadership of CSIRO and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

James W. Lance was a clinical neurologist who created the first university-based department of neurology in Australia.