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A high tech achievement for the communications industry has won this year's McLennan Award.
The winner is Dr Bruce Thomas for his contributions to the antenna design industry in Australia.
Presenting the Sir Ian McLennan Achievement for Industry Award in Melbourne today, Mr Philip Gude, Victorian Minister for Industry and Employment, said the work of Dr Bruce Thomas and colleagues had led to a new world class industry flourishing in Australia.
"Over the past twenty years, Dr Thomas and research teams led by him in the CSIRO Division of Radiophysics have developed Australian-based designs for antennas used in satellite communications technology."
"The expertise developed by CSIRO in partnership with various companies has resulted in a new high technology industry in Australia, now worth $100 million."
"This project exemplifies the fruitful relationships that can exist between industry and our scientific community" Mr Gude said.
Since the early 1980's every custom antenna produced in Australia has been designed by a consortium that included CSIRO. The CSIRO involvement, usually as a sub-contractor, has helped ensure this kind of business has stayed in Australia and has also given local companies the skills to bid for overseas contracts.
Australian companies have now won several major contracts to supply communications equipment in Asia.
Dr Thomas worked particularly closely with three communications groups - Connell Wagner Pty Ltd and its client OTC (now Telstra International), the Department of Defence and the AWADI-BHE Joint Venture. Connell Wagner receives a McLennan plaque in honour of its major contribution to the industrial development of the CSIRO technology.
Dr Thomas is now working for the Australia Telescope National Facility - CSIRO's collection of radiotelescopes at Parkes and Narrabri, NSW. The ATNF's key feature - the Australia Telescope, opened in 1988 - was another project in which scientists worked closely with Australian companies to develop advanced communications technology.
The Sir Ian McLennan Achievement for Industry Award was established in 1985 by CSIRO's Advisory Council, a group of external, mostly industry, advisors. It commemorates Sir Ian McLennan, former Chairman of BHP and provides the winners with money to take an overseas trip for further study in their area of expertise.
For further information contact:
Jenifer North CSIRO
Media Contacts
The McLennan Award is being presented by Mr Philip Gude at a luncheon at the Victorian Arts Centre, Melbourne, at 1 pm on 24th October.
Dr Thomas will be available for live or phone interview at the ANZ Pavilion Room, Victorian Arts Centre from 1.45 - 3 pm on 24th October, call 03-9281 8557 or Christian Peterson on mobile 018-393 667
Embargoed until 12 noon on 24th October 1995
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