Apart from high quality basic research in coordination chemistry, Professor Lindoy is especially recognised for his work in discriminating between metal ions using organic macrocyclic chelating agents. Major aims and successes of this research were to produce ligands and strategies for sequestering specifically heavy metal ions and to understand the basic reasons for the specificity. Such studies are important in understanding the role of the metal ion and ligand in chemical and biochemical systems. They are also especially valuable for industrial processes to selectively recover or remove metal ions. The work has received recognition recently by the award of the RACI Olle Prize and his appointment to a Personal Chair at James Cook University.