[cdn-nucl-l] 50 years of nuclear science benefiting Australia

["Adam McLean" <adam.mclean@utoronto.ca>]

Posted in What's New Magazine, Australia on April 16, 2003 and at:
http://www.labonline.com.au/science/latest_news/article.asp?id=4283
Congrats to the Australians!

Adam

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50 years of nuclear science benefiting Australia

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is this
week celebrating 50 years since the Atomic Energy Act, 1953, was passed by
the Federal Parliament.

ANSTO's Chief Executive, Professor Helen Garnett, said the golden
anniversary was a significant celebration for both ANSTO employees and the
broader Australian science community.

"We are celebrating both an event which enabled development of the Lucas
Heights Science and Technology Centre as well as five decades of nuclear
science benefitting Australia," Prof. Garnett said.

"ANSTO has achieved international recognition for its innovative
applications of nuclear science and technology in fields including
sustainability, human health, national security and the economic development
of Australia."

Prof. Garnett said the Atomic Energy Act, 1953, brought together all matters
associated with atomic energy under one piece of legislation, enabling the
development of a research reactor where atomic energy could be developed for
peaceful purposes.

Five years later saw the official opening, by the then Prime Minister of
Australia, The Rt. Hon. R. G. Menzies, of the Australian Atomic Energy
Commission's Lucas Heights Establishment.

"While the initial work undertaken at Lucas Heights related almost
exclusively to nuclear power, uranium and the nuclear power cycle, immediate
steps were taken to diversify activities and widen the sphere of the
projects."

"I would like to acknowledge the many people who have contributed over the
years to making ANSTO a world leader in the application, research and
development of nuclear based science and other technologies," she said.

Prof. Garnett said that ANSTO would use this 50th anniversary year to help
increase awareness about the value of nuclear science in everyday life.

"Fifty years on, although many people know about important medical
procedures which are impossible without radioactive materials, they remain
unaware of the widespread uses and benefits of nuclear-based products in our
daily lives."

"As well as health and medicine, nuclear products and services are used
extensively in agriculture, industry and manufacturing, science, the
environment, business and government and in our everyday life."

Prof. Garnett said the replacement research reactor, currently under
construction, would have enormous potential for unlocking knowledge
associated with biotechnology, engineering, materials, nanoscience and
environmental science.

Item provided courtesy of ANSTO

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