Graduations 2010
The University of Adelaide's September graduation ceremonies were marked by a number of firsts. They were the first graduation ceremonies to be presided over by the University's new Chancellor, the Hon. Robert Hill. It was also the first time that the ceremonies were broadcast via live video streaming on the Internet, meaning family, friends and others who were unable to attend could still watch the ceremonies live. More than 1600 students graduated at the September ceremonies, which also saw arts, music and speedway entrepreneur Kym Bonython AC and two distinguished scientists, Professors Peter Colman and Brian Matthews, awarded honorary doctorates. They were admitted to the degree of Doctor of the University (honoris causa) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to society. Mr Bonython was a schoolboy when he presented his first radio jazz program in 1937. He went on to become a long-time broadcaster and major promoter of jazz music in Australia over many years. He was a competitor and promoter at Rowley Park Speedway from 1954 to 1973 and also a champion speedboat racer. He also contributed significantly to the Australian arts community as a serious collector, gallery owner, writer and member of many arts boards and committees. Mr Bonython was made both an Officer (1981) and Companion (1987) of the Order of Australia in recognition of his service to the arts and the community. Professors Peter Colman and Brian Matthews are both Bachelor of Science and PhD graduates of the University of Adelaide and have gone on to make outstanding contributions in the field of structural biology. Professor Colman determined the structure of a protein on the influenza virus using x-ray crystallography and led the development of the world's first anti-influenza drug, Relenza. Relenza and the related drug Tamiflu are used around the world to combat influenza pandemics. Professor Colman is Head of the Structural Biology Division at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Victoria and has won many awards, including the Australia Prize in 1996. Professor Brian Matthews, Professor of Physics at the University of Oregon and one-time postdoctoral supervisor of Peter Colman's, is an international leader in structural biology, with the use of x-ray and other imaging techniques at the heart of his work. His work in determining the structures of proteins has been immensely important in human health and drug development. He was awarded a Doctor of Science by the University of Adelaide in 1986 in recognition of his research and publications in this field. Videos of the September 2010 graduation ceremonies are still available to view online. Simply go to: www.adelaide.edu.au/student/graduations
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