Welcome to the RACI WA Branch April President's Corner!
Written by Tamsin Collins
Published April 2022
Welcome to the RACI WA Branch April Newsletter!
Even with the fact that we are now living with Covid, we held two successful events this month, the March Chemaraderie and the first Retiree Lunch of 2022.
Dr Johan Janssen gave an insightful lecture in the March Chemaraderie on how to avoid a pig’s heart transplant. Dr Johan Janssen has written a book on the same topic called ‘Your Heart Maintenance’.
For the April Chemaraderie we will hear from Prof. Mark Paskevicius on ‘Boron-based solid state electrolytes for next generation batteries’.
Recordings of the talks will be made available on our newly established RACI YouTube Play List entitled ‘RACI WA Chemaraderie Networking Event Key Note Speaker Series’. Currently you will find the February Chemaraderie talk there from Debbie Silvester. If you have any ideas for talks or have a talk that you would like to share please do send an email through for consideration to our Coordinator at [email protected] or speak to members of the committee at any upcoming events.
The first Retiree Lunch of 2022 had 12 attendees and went off without a hitch. Thanks again to Ferdi for organising these much-loved events.
Coming up in April we as well as our Chemaraderie we have the first of the Bayliss Youth Lectures at Edith Cowan University. The new members of the Chemical Education Group team are doing an excellent job spreading the word, so much so that there are already over 150 registrations for the event. Go team Chem Ed!
Two further Bayliss Lectures will be held, one at UWA on 31st May and one at Curtin on 22nd June. The UWA Lecture is when we plan to hold the Traditional Member Supper. Please note that this venue is limited to 90 and there are already over 40 registrations. Please do register early to avoid disappointment. Additional Bayliss Youth Lectures will be held at high schools in the Perth and regional areas.
In the background, the Chemical Education Group are also working away on preparations for the Titration Competition and the Crystal Growing Competition. Please do keep an eye out for opportunities to support these fantastic events inspiring our next generation of chemists.
After a successful Women’s Breakfast, the Women in Chemistry Group are working toward their next interactive event centred around the Chemistry of Art. And the Early Career Chemists are honing in on a suitable date for their official Launch at the Shoe Bar!
Really exciting news is that we have Ambassador representation in all four universities across Perth in Curtin, UWA, Murdoch and ECU. The national network it getting established and is being resourced and supported by Nick Taylor and the National Office. A really useful guidance document has been produced to help the new Ambassadors in rolling out this program uniformly across the country. The Curtin Chem Club and RACI worked together during O Week raising awareness of RACI and Chemistry with the incoming Chemistry students.
From the National Perspective:
• After a considerable delay, the Graeme Batley Medal Recipient for 2020 has been awarded to Professor Conor Hogan, for his service to Analytical Chemistry in Australia over the past 15 years.
• Catherine HO was recognised as Chemist of the Month for March 2022.
• Erin Humphries, RACI 2021 RACI Student Travel Award winner, reported from the 27th Annual Lorne Proteomics Symposium.
• Update on RACI National Award Changes. As of 1st April all National Awards are open for nominations.
• RACI 2022 Congress – Poster Presentation Submission Date is Tuesday 26th April and Early Bird registrations close 2nd May. Draft Program is coming soon.
• Volunteer Opportunities – RACI are looking for
• RACI Membership Assessment Committee Members
• Careers Development Event Coordinators
• Inclusion and Diversity Committee Members and
• NATA are looking for Expression of Interest to join the Materials Characterisation Accreditation Advisory Committee.
Lots going on. Help out where you can and where it makes sense for you. Help RACI achieve its purpose... To promote the science, practice and positive impact of chemistry to the public, educational sector, industry and Government.
Tamsin Collins
RACI WA Branch President
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