Annual Report 2009.pdf - School of Physics - University of Melbourne

OFFICIAL OPENING OFTHEPHYSICS MUSEUMThe pathway to the future isbuiltupon the past...“Just 400 years ago a man put two small piecesof glass in a tube, pointed it at the sky and madediscoveries that changed the world - that man wasGalileo and its fair to say that his ideas shapedthe world we live in today!” And so began DavidJamieson in his welcome to a celebration inthe School of Physics of the official opening ofthe museum. It may seem strange to “open”something that has been around for a while, but wefelt that it was time to formally acknowledge theefforts of Ed Muirhead, former Chair of the Schoolof Physics, and others in cultivating, shaping andbuilding the School’s historic record.In his address, the Vice-Chancellor Professor GlynDavis, highlighted many of the achievements of theSchool and the pioneering efforts which have laidan exceptional path for successive generations ofteachers and researchers. He warmly welcomedback many of the School’s graduate students,and made a special mention to Betty Laby whosefamily has had a long association with the Schoolof Physics. As well as the Head, Betty & Jean’sfather, Professor Thomas H. Laby was Chairmanof the Optical Munitions Panel, and spearheadedthe School’s contribution to the war effort withthe manufacturing of optical glass and opticalinstruments in the Physics department - pureexcellence in knowledge transfer.Many items depicting these and other effortshave been painstakingly restored and cataloguedin the collection. For almost twenty years, Ed hasoverseen this heroic task with the assistance ofmany including Anna Fairclough, Belinda Nemecand Nick Nicola to name but a few. Together theyhave established what can only be described as along lasting legacy to the School. Their work hasbeen made possible through generous support ofthe Cultural Collections Group, the Russell and MabGrimwade Miegunyah Fund Committee, the PotterFoundation and our own Friends of the PhysicsMuseum.Top: Museum opening - Anne Muirhead, Ed Muirhead, Anita Muirhead, MaryMuirheadAbove: Fiona & David Caro, Val Crohn and others enjoying the Museum openingAbove: Pat Spicer, Tony Klein at the Museum openingAs evidenced on the day, it is a fitting location for amuseum with students passing constantly throughnormal daily interaction. So with the foundationstones well laid, we are now walking the path. Ourvision is to transform the space around our museuminto a magnificent flexible group learning and socialinteraction space for new Generation Mastersstudents. We need support to make this project areality and continue to investigate all possibilities.www.physics.unimelb.edu.au 55