When Professor Gordon Wallace was recognised as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his service to science and research on Australia Day he felt honoured. But Prof Wallace also loved being an Australia Day Ambassador because it gave him a chance to share how much he loves Wollongong to new citizens.
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Have gave a speech that started with him saying what a privilege it was to celebrate Australia Day in “the best part of the world, Wollongong”. He said it was great to take time to reflect on the opportunities we have been given. “Australia Day 2017 is extra special since it is the day we celebrate your citizenship. This is an arms wide open, big, big, BIG smile welcome”.
Prof Wallace is recognised globally for his work making bionic body parts, developing plastics that conduct electricity and helping to fight disease with printers that can manufacture cells. He has been named NSW scientist of the year and has won the highly prestigious Eureka Prize for science. His work with polymer materials and their use in biomedical applications and his collaboration with industry is often praised.
But on Australia Day he shared his personal journey hoping to inspire others about what is possible living in Wollongong. “My family came from Belfast in Ireland to Geelong when I was 14. Belfast was a good place to be leaving in 1972. Troubles had impacted on every family we knew and it did not look like getting better. I later moved to Wollongong and have lived here for 30 years. My family’s move to Australia brought us opportunities that none of us could have imagined. I have been able to embark on a scientific research career now focused on the development of new medical technologies using 3D printing.”
Prof Wallace feels fortunate to have worked with many great Australians such as Prof Graeme Clark who developed the bionic ear. And with other clinicians in Wollongong and around the world, to develop medical implants for big clinical challenges. Some of the projects include:
- Treating sleep apnoea – with Dr Stuart Mackay at Wollongong Hospital
- Cartilage repair for damaged knees with Prof Peter Choong at St Vincent’s Hospital.
- Islet cell transplantation to treat diabetics with Prof Toby Coates at the Royal Adelaide Hospital
- Printed ears to treat microtia with Dr Payal Mukherjee at Sydney Adventist Hospital.
“All of this is possible because we have one of the most amazing research facilities..at the Innovation Campus. A facility that allows us to 3D print to manufacture layer by layer sophisticated structures containing advanced materials. We can 3D print metals such as titanium, layer by layer to build customised medical implants, like a personalised hip replacement. We can also use this approach to 3D print structures containing living cells, the patient’s own stem cells, to grow back damaged nerves or muscles.”
Prof Wallace said such activities had attracted highly skilled researchers from around the world to Wollongong.
“At present we have personnel from more than 25 countries working at our laboratories in Wollongong. These individuals are creating new opportunities for existing industry. For example we are providing new knowledge to BlueScope to create the most advanced building products and to Cochlear to continue to build better bionic ears. We are also facilitating the development of new industries such as Venus Shell Systems, a high-tech seaweed farming enterprise in Nowra. Together we are taking molecules from seaweed to develop 3D bio-printing inks for wound healing. Recently fundamental advances in materials and fabrication attracted substantial overseas investment to establish AquaHydrex - a company formed to exploit new approaches in energy conversion and storage. This company, located in Wollongong, continues to grow and employ local talent to take these new technologies to the world.”
Prof Wallace said Wollongong had a long history of innovation:
- The Steelworks and The Lysaghts company pioneered revolutionary coating technologies to fight against corrosion–Zinc Alum and the world famous product Colorbond emerged from this innovative environment
- The Copper Refinery was established approximately 100 years ago based on world leading technology and continued to be at the forefront for many decades.
But Prof Wallace has also seen a lot of change. Recently the copper refinery stack was felled in spectacular fashion marking the end of an era. And the steelworks now employs 3,000 compared to the 22,000 when he arrived in Wollongong three decades ago.
Over the same period he said there has been some amazing transitions. The University of Wollongong student population has grown from 4,000 to more than 30,000 and the nature of innovation has changed. Now smaller, dynamic ventures based on continuing innovation provide employment opportunities.
Prof Wallace said the City of Innovation can only remain so if we create a culture of innovation for all citizens in Wollongong to create a community of innovators. He said that will require training to acquire the appropriate technical skills. A world class education will help Wollongong achieve that. But it also needs people who:
- Understand the need for change to ensure improvement and who are brave enough to embark on that journey
- Who understand that it may be more comfortable for this generation not to change, but that this will impact the next generation
- Who are resilient, who can adjust, refocus and find a way ahead, whatever the barriers erected by circumstance or other individuals.
Prof Wallace said every one of us can play part including our newest citizens.
“Through my own mother and father and the many other immigrant families we relied upon I recognise that these characteristics are also essential in immigrants,” he said.
“We are driven by a vision for change, we are resilient and we are determined to create a better future. Thank you, our new citizens, for bringing these attributes to Australia. I encourage you to share them not only with your own family, but with all members of our community. Most importantly we all must encourage the development of these attributes in those who will be the next generation in Wollongong. We must equip them with all the skills needed to not only contribute to this rapidly changing world we live in, but to confront it where necessary and to help shape the future they want to have. I thank you for becoming an Australian Citizen and for helping to build our community of innovators for the City of Innovation. Wollongong needs the vision, passion and determination that you bring to our community.”
Prof Gordon Wallace is going to tell more of his story soon for In The Loop.
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
