Chemistry PhD Alumni celebrate the School's refurbishment
Robyn Trethowan
L-R Professor Kenneth Ghiggino (Head, School of Chemistry), Dr J. Patrick Greene (CEO, Museum of Victoria), Professor Glynn Davis (Vice Chancellor), Professor Emeritus Ray Martin (former Head, School of Chemistry and Dean, Faculty of Science), Professor Liz Sonenberg (Dean, Faculty of Science)
(Photographer: Natalie Pestana)
The official opening to celebrate the completion of the ground floor refurbishment of the School of Chemistry provided a perfect opportunity for 150 PhD alumni to revisit the school and reconnect. Much has changed in the school since many of the alumni studied there. The $12 million refurbishment has seen the transformation of the 'heritage' first year teaching laboratories into modern laboratories, the relocation of the library and the establishment of a computer lounge and student resource area. The refurbishment is the first phase of a major building renovation. Items from the recently established Chemistry Cultural Collection were on display and, when contrasted with the new state-of-the-art facilities, gave rise to the animated sharing of memories.
Dating back to 1882, the Chemistry Cultural Collection is of major historical, cultural and scientific significance. It was recently returned to the University of Melbourne from the Science Museum and its value as cultural record of activities over more than a century was confirmed. The collection is unique in Australia with chemistry collections elsewhere in Australia reduced to a few remnants or dating back only fifty years.
Further information about:
The display from the School of Chemistry Collection can be viewed in the Chemistry Building on Masson Road, from 25 February 2009 between 9am-5pm on weekdays.
Please visit School of Chemistry Alumni Function 25th February 2009 for more photos of the function.
