FENNER BUILDING HONOURS SCIENCE ICON

One of Australia’s national living treasures, Professor Frank Fenner, has been honoured by the Australian National University with the naming of a building after him.

The Frank Fenner Building provides valuable new facilities for the ANU Faculty of Science and Medical School and recognises the enormous contribution of Professor Fenner to the ANU, the nation and the world.

In an outstanding career at ANU, Professor Fenner has played a leading role in the eradication of smallpox and played an important part in the team that discovered the uses of myxomatosis in the control of rabbits. Among the many awards he has received, Professor Fenner won the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science in 2002 and was a co-winner of the Japan Prize in 1988. Now 88, he still plays an active role as a researcher at the University’s John Curtin School of Medical Research.

Science Minister Mr Peter McGauran opened the building with Professor Fenner in a ceremony today, remarking that Professor Fenner had made a major contribution to Australian science.

“Professor Fenner's commitment and achievements in the field of microbiology are legendary. His great contribution to science is an inspiration,” Mr McGauran said.

ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Chubb said it was fitting that the building would accommodate the Science Faculty as well as the new Medical School.

“Frank Fenner is an icon in the global scientific community and in a small way, this building acknowledges his contribution to science, to students of science and to the ANU.

“In an extraordinary career, Professor Fenner has inspired thousands to pursue careers in science, improved the lives of millions by fighting smallpox and brought great honour to himself, the ANU and Australia as a whole.

“It is fitting that he is honoured in a permanent way by the University, in recognition of his intellectual and practical achievements.”

In recognition of Professor Fenner’s role in continuing to inspire and support science students, the naming ceremony also involved the presentation of awards to 48 distinguished science scholars.

More than half of the awards were made to students in Australia’s most prestigious undergraduate science course, the new Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) program, which has been strongly supported by Professor Fenner.

Professor Fenner donated $100,000 of his prize money from the Prime Minster’s Prize for Science to provide scholarships for students accepted into the course.

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