Memorial lecture a family affair

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Tags: Science, winter-2009

(from left) Mary Garson, Peter Jones, Alison Jones, Professor Margaret Sheil, Michael Jones, Meghan Jones, Katherine Jones, Gwyneth Jones and Lloyd Jones on the evening of the memorial lecture

Descendants of Thomas Gilbert Henry Jones, UQ Professor of Chemistry (1940-1965), attended the 2008 public lecture in his honour given by the CEO of the Australian Research Council, Professor Margaret Sheil.

In attendance were grandsons Peter and Michael Jones, great-granddaughters Alison, Megha, Katherine and Gwyneth Jones, and great-grandson Lloyd Jones.

All of the family members are UQ alumni with the exception of Lloyd, who is a UQ Science Ambassador at his high school.

The annual lecture is a memorial to the late Professor Jones who joined UQ as an assistant lecturer and demonstrator in 1915. Following service in WWI as a munitions and explosives producer, Professor Jones returned to the University as a lecturer in inorganic chemistry, being promoted to Professor and Head of Department in 1940.

During his 50 years of service to UQ, he was a member of Senate (1944-68), Dean of the Faculty of Science (1942-49 and 1960-61) and President of the Professorial Board (1951-56).

Professor Jones initiated a program of research into the chemistry of natural plant products and held officer positions in the Royal Society of Queensland and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

He led a public meeting in City Hall in 1957 to protest against State Government legislation that threatened the University’s autonomy in making appointments, and was awarded a CBE in 1960. He also received honorary doctorates from UQ and the University of Newcastle.

Professor Jones married fellow UQ graduate Vera (nee Haines) in 1923, with their two children David and Margot also becoming UQ graduates in medicine and physiotherapy respectively.

Professor Sheil’s lecture discussed research and innovation policy, including the proposed Excellence in Research in Australia (ERA) scheme which would benchmark Australian researchers against the best in the world.

An overview of ARC funding schemes including the new Laureate Fellowships and Future Fellowships program was also covered during the event.

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