Young geologist wins State's top honour

Science

A University of Adelaide graduate who is helping to improve mineral exploration techniques in the Olympic Dam region has been named the 2008 Young Achiever of the Year for South Australia.

Dr Kate Selway, a postdoctoral research associate in the University's School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, took out the top award recently at a gala presentation dinner at the Hilton Hotel, which honoured the achievements of South Australia's most talented young people.

The 26-year-old geologist is working on a collaborative project between the University of Adelaide, BHP Billiton and Teck Cominco in the Olympic Dam region, carrying out large scale magnetotelluric (electromagnetic) surveys, which provide 3D images of the earth to depths of about 70 kilometres.

This research will help to define the full extent of major mineral deposits in South Australia's mining belt, which is expected to reap substantial economic benefits for the State.

"In a broader sense, this research will enable us to better understand how these deposits formed. Since the majority of our mineral deposits are hidden beneath large thicknesses of sediment, any discoveries will be extremely important for South Australia," Dr Selway said.

Her PhD research at the University of Adelaide focused on Australia's geological structure, and she made headlines in 2006 when she found evidence of a collision between northern and central Australia 1.64 billion years ago.

Dr Selway described her work in the magnetotellurics field as "incredibly exciting" and said the electromagnetic imaging work she was involved in was increasingly being used as an exploration tool by mineral and geothermal energy companies.

"There are lots of ground-breaking discoveries ahead of us and I am very keen to stay in Australia to be part of it all."

A total of 27 finalists vied for the top honour, which was announced by the South Australian Minister for Youth, the Honourable Paul Caica MP.

Categories in the Young Achiever of the Year awards included science and technology, indigenous achievers, sports, leadership, arts, environment, regional achievers and community service.

Dr Selway also took out the Science & Technology Award ahead of two other University of Adelaide finalists, mechanical engineering graduate and Fulbright Scholar Laura Brooks, and biomedical science PhD student Brooke Summers.

Ms Brooks is researching environmentally friendly techniques to map the sea floor for commercial, environmental, defence and archaeological applications, and Ms Summers is investigating the effects of binge drinking during pregnancy on fetal development.

The Science & Technology Award is sponsored by the University of Adelaide's Faculty of Sciences.

Another University of Adelaide graduate, Sky Ingram, won the Arts Award sponsored by the Coffee Club.

A graduate of the University of Adelaide's Elder Conservatorium of Music with First Class Honours, the 23-year-old soprano has been widely recognised by critics and through scholarships, competitions and awards. She is currently studying Classical Music at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

Story by Candy Gibson