Environmental Chemist, Photographer and Conservationist

Eddy Wajon FRACI CChem

Why Chemistry?

Science at high school really opened my eyes to the natural world. Chemistry in second year was fascinating and I started collecting chemicals and apparatus to undertake my own simple cookbook experiments. During second year uni, I found the connection between pollution, pollution control and chemistry, and I was hooked on trying to solve the world’s problems.

I get a real kick out of successful deployment of creative and previously untried techniques and strategies, whether they are old or new. While I now spend much time trying to protect and restore the natural environment, learning biological concepts and practices, the discipline of chemistry with its experimental basis, scrutiny of data, questioning and hypothesis testing is fundamental to my interaction with nature and society.

Mentors

Peter Newman, University of WA and Murdoch University colleague - On Peter’s advice, I applied to go to Harvard University where I completed my PhD under J. Carrell Morris. Peter is a leading proponent of sustainable solutions that I now try to implement.

Werner Haag, University of Tennessee student - Werner and I met at Colorado Springs at the third International Chlorination Conference. We ended up climbing Pikes Peak over 2 days, significant considering this was the first (and for me remains the only) mountain I climbed where altitude affects breathing. We have visited each other since and discussed aspects of oxidation in water treatment.

Bob Alexander, Bob Kagi and Anna Heitz (Curtin University colleagues) - We have worked together over the last 30 years on issues related to analysis of natural organic compounds, odours and disinfection by-products in water.

Environmental Chemist and Conservationist

I found the connection between pollution, pollution control and chemistry, and I was hooked on
trying to solve the world’s problems

Conservation and Photography

My wife and I own two bush blocks (Mondurup View (47 ha) and Chingarrup Sanctuary (576 ha)) in the south-west of Western Australia, which we actively manage for conservation. Mondurup View, where this picture was taken, was completely burnt by a bushfire on 27 December 2003. I am photographing and documenting when this particular acacia flowered for the first time after the fire. The photo will be included in the next edition of one of the four books on wildflowers I have written.