News
Issue No. 38 - December/January 07/08
South Australian of the Year 2007 - Great South Australians
Each year SA Great, with the support of the Government of South Australia, recognises inspirational South Australians through the South Australian of the Year Awards - celebrating and profiling individuals or organisations that have a consistent record of excellence and outstanding achievement whilst contributing and further developing our state.
On November 28 Laureate Professor John Ralston was announced as the 2007 winner of the prestigious South Australian of the Year Award and Niki Vasilakis was awarded the Young South Australian of the Year.
The Awards were announced by his Excellency the Governor, Rear Admiral J Scarce AO, CSC, RANR and the Premier of South Australia, The Hon Mike Rann MP at a black-tie presentation evening in front of a sold-out audience of peers, media and high profile business leaders.
Prof Ralston, from the University of South Australia, was recognised for his outstanding contribution to scientific research.
He is an internationally recognised expert in colloid and surface chemistry and their application in metallurgical engineering and technology.
Professor Ralston is the creator and Foundation Director of the Ian Wark Research Institute - ‘The Wark’ - which has built an outstanding reputation around the world for high-impact research and has become the national headquarters for the Australian Mineral Science Research Institute.
Attracting more than $100 million in research funding, he has published nearly 250 research articles in leading international scientific journals, 14 book chapters, holds six patents, and supervised more than 60 PhD students.
Professor Ralston was also recognised this year as the inaugural Scientist of the Year as part of the South Australian Science Excellence Awards 2007.
Niki Vasilakis was named the 2007 Young South Australian of the Year. At 25 she is an internationally renowned violinist.
Niki studied a Bachelor of Music Performance at the...
