Aretz et al_2011.pdf - ORBi - Université de Liège

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Kölner Forum Geol. Paläont., 19 (2011)
M. ARETZ, S. DELCULÉE, J. DENAYER & E. POTY (Eds.)
Abstracts, 11th Symposium on Fossil Cnidaria and Sponges, Liège, August 19-29, 2011
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published with W.H. BRYAN the seminal paper on skeletal growth of crystals forming the coral skeleton.
This was progressed later using SEM techniques.
The quality of her work, her understanding of the structure of the coral skeleton and her knowledge of
the world-wide stratigraphic distribution of Palaeozoic corals were soon recognized, prompting overseas
workers to send her their collections for study. She published 15 taxonomic papers on material from other
countries and several on regional stratigraphic and palaeobiogeographic distributions. The attention led
R.C. MOORE, editor of the Treatise of invertebrate paleontology, to invite her to contribute to the Coelentrata
volume. A co-contributor to the volume, John WELLS of Cornell University, visited Brisbane on study leave
in 1954. He was a Mesozoic to Holocene scleractinian coral specialist, and the interaction of these two great
minds coming from different backgrounds made a great advance in the understanding of coral
palaeontology and enhanced the volume greatly when published in 1956. In 1981, Dorothy HILL produced
a two volume supplement revising the Palaeozoic corals. The latter was not just a compilation of the world
literature but represented the essence of her entire career.
With the discovery of archaeocyathid faunas in Antarctica, Dorothy began interpreting the structure of
their skeletons using thin sections, as she had for corals. She published two small taxonomic papers and a
major monograph on these Antarctic faunas, a review of the whole group in Biological Reviews in 1964, and
a revision of the treatise Archaeocyatha volume in 1972.
On retirement, Dorothy HILL had completed three and a half volumes of the internationally acclaimed
Treatise of invertebrate paleontology, more than any other contributor to that series.
Dorothy was deeply involved throughout her career with the scientific study of the Great Barrier Reef.
By 1937, H.C. RICHARDS had drilled two holes through the reef and she became involved in the thorough
analysis of the cores, publishing the results in 1942. As secretary of the Great Barrier Reef Committee she
was very effective in seeking funds for the establishment of a research station on Heron Island. 1952 saw
the completion of a small laboratory which was to evolve into an internationally renowned facility run
today by the University of Queensland. She was involved in the establishment of the Australian Institute of
Marine Sciences in Townsville. In 1970, she wrote a summary article on the research carried out on the
Great Barrier Reef to that date, and later two articles detailing the history of the Great Barrier Reef
Committee.
At the International Symposium on the Study of Fossil Corals held in Novosibirsk in 1971, Dorothy HILL
was elected inaugural President of the International Association for the Study of Fossil Cnidaria and
Porifera with its primary tasks of establishing a newsletter and organizing four-yearly symposia. She
delivered an inspiring keynote address at the 1988 Brisbane Symposium outlining future avenues for fossil
coral and sponge research. Dorothy was a respected mentor to many of our Association. R.K. JULL and I
were her only PhD students to study Palaeozoic corals but most students who studied corals in Australia
benefited from her lively discussion and constructive criticism, and access to her library and collections. For
similar reasons, many overseas specialists visited Brisbane, some spending their study leave at the
University. She carried on a prolific correspondence with specialists all around the world.
Throughout her career she received numerous civil, scientific and academic awards. Three honorific
volumes were published by her students and colleagues. The Science, Engineering and Architecture
Library of the University bears her name, as do postgraduate and postdoctoral scholarships offered by the
University and the Australian Academy of Science, respectively. The University also established the
Dorothy Hill Chair of Palaeontology and Stratigraphy in recognition of her outstanding achievements and
her service to the University.
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