Tributes Flow For Aussie Scientist

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday July 18, 2000

Prime Minister John Howard paid tribute yesterday to Sir Mark Oliphant, saying his death at the age of 98 marked the passing of a great Australian.

He said Sir Mark had played a key part in one of the landmark scientific achievements of the 20th century, the splitting of the atom.

``Sir Mark's distinguished academic career at home and overseas and a term as Governor of South Australia highlighted his contribution to the nation both as a scientist and public figure," he said.

``On behalf of myself, my wife Janette, and the Federal Government I extend deepest sympathies to Sir Mark's daughter, Vivian Wilson, daughter-in-law Monica Oliphant, and their families."

It was early in his career, at Cambridge, that the then Mark Oliphant worked with the team at the Cavendish Laboratory that succeeded in 1932 in splitting the atom.

He subsequently became a tireless campaigner against weapons of mass destruction after leading a team of British scientists to the USA in 1943 to work on development of the atomic bomb.

Opposition Leader Kim Beazley said Sir Mark was one of the great scientists of the 20th century whose life spanned the first 100 years of Australian nationhood.

``Sir Mark was a world class physicist who made a significant contribution to the causes of nuclear disarmament, conservation of the environment and alternative energy sources," he said.

Australian Democrats leader Meg Lees said she was saddened by his death.

``It goes without saying that Sir Mark was a very distinguished Australian, distinguished by his intellect, his humanity and his capacity to engage with and speak on behalf of ordinary Australians," she said.

``Australian Democrats particularly will remember him for his passionate, eloquent and persistent argument against the nuclear arms race."

Academy of Science president Professor Brian Anderson said Sir Mark was Australia's leading statesman of science in the post-war period.

South Australian Premier John Olsen also paid tribute to the famous scientist, who was State Governor from 1971-1976.

``Sir Mark could lay claim to being one of Australia's greatest scientists," he said.

© 2000 Illawarra Mercury

Back to News Index | Back to Home