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About CSIRO

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is Australia's national science agency and one of the largest and most diverse research agencies in the world.

CSIRO's core areas of impact
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Sir George Alfred Julius, CSIRO Chair from April 1926 to 31 December 1945. Sir George Alfred Julius, born Norwich, England, 29 April 1873, died 28 June 1946, was a consulting engineer with the firm Julius, Poole & Gibson and the inventor of the racecourse totalizator. He was also a founder of the Institution of Engineers, Australia in 1919 and a council member 1919-40.
Sir George Alfred Julius, first chairman of CSIR.

CSIRO Chairmen

Meet the people who have led CSIRO since 1926.

CSIRO (originally known as CSIR) was formed in 1926. It was initially led by an Executive Committee of three people: a Chairman, Mr GA Julius, the Chief Executive Officer, Professor ACD Rivett and Professor AEV Richardson.

The roles and responsibilities of the Chairmen and Chief Executive have changed many times. From 1 July 1959 to 4 December 1986 the organisation had no Chief Executive, with the Chairman carrying out the functions of both positions.

In 1986 a Board of non-executive members plus the Chief Executive was formed to lead CSIRO. The CSIRO Board is responsible to the Australian Government for the overall strategy, governance and performance of CSIRO.

The CSIRO Chairmen and their dates of service have been:

Sir George Alfred Julius, CSIRO Chair from April 1926 to 31 December 1945. Sir George Alfred Julius, born Norwich, England, 29 April 1873, died 28 June 1946, was a consulting engineer with the firm Julius, Poole & Gibson and the inventor of the racecourse totalizator. He was also a founder of the Institution of Engineers, Australia in 1919 and a council member 1919-40.

Sir George Alfred Julius

April 1926 to 31 December 1945
Albert Cherbury David Rivett, CSIRO Chief Executive from 01/01/1927 to 31/12/1945, CSIRO Chair (Acting) from 01/01/1946 to 31/03/1946, CSIRO Chair from 01/04/1946 to 18/05/1949

Professor Sir Albert Cherbury David Rivett*, KCMG

1 January 1946 to 31 March 1946 (acting)
1 April 1946 to 18 May 1949
Sir Ian Clunies Ross CSIRO Chair from 19/05/1949 to 20/06/1959.

Professor Sir Ian Clunies Ross, CMG

19 May 1949 to 20 June 1959
Frederick William George White, CSIRO Chief Executives from 19/05/1949 to 13/12/1956, CSIRO Deputy Chair from 01/01/1957 to 30/06/1959, CSIRO Chair from 01/07/1959 to 22/05/1970.

Sir Frederick William George White*

1 January 1957 to 30 June 1959 (deputy)
1 July 1959 to 22 May 1970
(Sir) James Robert (Jerry) Price was Chair of the CSIRO, from 26/05/1970 to 24/03/1977. Chief Executive Officer 1966-70 and Chief of the Division of Organic Chemistry 1961-66. Born: 25 March 1912 Kadina, South Australia, Australia. Died: 8 March 1999 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Sir James Robert Price, KBE

26 May 1970 to 24 March 1977
Mr Victor Dudley Burgman CBE, CSIRO Chair from 25/03/1977 to 13/12/1978.

Mr Victor Dudley Burgmann, CBE

25 March 1977 to 13 December 1978
John Paul Wild, CSIRO Chair from 14/12/1978 to 24/09/1985

Dr John Paul Wild, AC, CBE

14 December 1978 to 24 September 1985
Dr Norman Keith (Keith) Boardman, CSIRO Chair from 25/09/1985 to 04/12/1986, CSIRO Acting Chief Executive from 05/12/1986 to 04/03/1987, Chief Executive from 05/03/1987 to 04/03/1990, member of the CSIRO Executive from 1977.

Dr Norman Keith Boardman*, AO

25 September 1985 to 4 December 1986
Neville Kenneth Wran, CSIRO Chair from 5 December 1986 to 4 December 1991 (part-time).

The Hon Neville Kenneth Wran, AC, QC

5 December 1986 to 4 December 1991 (part-time)
Dr Adrienne Elizabeth Clarke, CSIRO Chair from 5 December 1991 to 4 December 1996 (part-time) also world renowned plant geneticist and Laureate Professor of Botany.

Dr Adrienne Elizabeth Clarke, AO

5 December 1991 to 4 December 1996 (part-time)
Dr David Allen, CSIRO Board Chairman from 5 December 1996 to 4 December 2001 (part-time).

Mr David Charles Allen

5 December 1996 to 5 November 2001 (part-time)
Catherine Livingstone, CSIRO Board Chairman

Ms Catherine Livingstone

6 November 2001 to 31 December 2006 (part-time)
Mr Peter Willcox: CSIRO Board Chairman

Mr Peter Willcox

1 January 2007 to 29 May 2007 (part-time)
Dr John Stocker, apppointed Chair of the CSIRO Board 2 July 2007.

Dr John Stocker*, AO

28 June 2007 to present (part-time)
 
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*also served as CSIRO Chief Executive.

Honours and awards:

AC Companion of the Order of Australia
KCMG Knight Commander of the order of St Michael and St George
KBE Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire
AO Officer of the Order of Australia
CMG Companion of the order of St Michael and St George
CBE Commander of the Order of the British Empire
QC Queen's Counsel
 

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Fast facts

  • There have been 13 CSIRO Chairmen
  • Several CSIRO Chairmen have also been Chief Executives of CSIRO 

Contact Information

Primary Contact

CSIRO Enquiries
Phone: 1300 363 400*
Alt Phone: 61 3 9545 2176 
Fax: 61 3 9545 2175 
*local call within Australia