Published Tuesday, 20 February, 2007 at 01:58 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
FOUR MORE SMART QUEENSLANDERS BECOME SMART STATE AMBASSADORS
Four more outstanding Queenslanders have become Smart State Ambassadors to spread the word about the dynamic intellectual and creative energy of modern Queensland.
The new ambassadors are cancer researcher, Professor Ian Frazer, Academy Award winner
John Cox, climate change pioneer Professor Ian Lowe and Griffith University Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian O’Connor.
Premier Peter Beattie said the four new ambassadors he announced today represented excellence in Education and Social Policy, Health and Scientific Research, Environment and Sustainability and Creative Industries and Technology.
“This means there are now a total to eight high profile individuals who will advocate for Queensland and the Smart State vision, with the four new ambassadors announced today complementing our existing four ambassadors,” Mr Beattie said.
The existing ambassadors are Professor Glyn Davis, Professor John Hay, Professor Peter Andrews and Professor Peter Coaldrake.
“All eight ambassadors are leaders in their fields and have championed the cause of Smart State,” Mr Beattie said.
“Our four new Smart State Ambassadors demonstrate the great breadth of the Smart State and show that Queensland has world class innovators across the whole spectrum of scientific and creative endeavour.
“Since 1998, our determined push towards making Queensland the Smart State has focused on creating a place where knowledge, creativity and innovation drive economic growth to improve prosperity and quality of life for all Queenslanders.
“We have invested in world-class research facilities to retain and attract top-quality scientists to Queensland and to stimulate cutting-edge research projects.
“Last year alone, we allocated almost $74 million from the $200 million Smart State Innovation Fund for important initiatives such as the Queensland Smart Water Research facility at Griffith University, the Tropical Science and Innovation Precinct at James Cook University and our Smart State Premiers Fellowships,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Smart State Ambassador Program recognises a select number of individuals who personify the Smart State ethos.
Mr Beattie said Professor Ian Frazer was a true ambassador for Queensland and was an inspiration to every researcher who ever set out to find a cure for cancer.
“Lives will be saved because of Ian Frazer’s work in developing the world’s first cervical cancer vaccine. Women in Queensland, Australia and the world will benefit from his innovative thinking and research.”
“John Cox is one of only a handful of Queenslanders who has heard his name said after that magic sentence… and the Oscar goes to….
“John won an Academy Award in 1995 for his visual effects work on the movie Babe.
“His Creature Workshop on the Gold Coast has become internationally acclaimed as a leader in the design and manufacture of fantasy creatures and has put Queensland on the map for international filmmakers.
“Professor Ian Lowe is an internationally recognised expert on environmental issues, energy, science and technology and futures.
“His passionate commitment to the environmental sciences sets a great example for our young would-be scientists and future business leaders,” Mr Beattie said.
“After pursuing his academic career overseas and visiting fellowships at the United Nations and Asia Far East Institute in Tokyo, Corpus Christi College at Cambridge in England and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Ian O’Connor, Vice-Chancellor of Griffith University returned to Queensland and is now vice-chancellor of Griffith University.
“Professor O’Connor’s research interests are in the area of juvenile justice and child welfare and the future directions of social work and human services,” Mr Beattie said.
“I thank them for agreeing to become Smart State Ambassadors and look forward to their contribution to advancing the Smart State vision in Australia and abroad,” Mr Beattie said.
Media inquiries: 3224 4500
20 February 2007
The new ambassadors are cancer researcher, Professor Ian Frazer, Academy Award winner
John Cox, climate change pioneer Professor Ian Lowe and Griffith University Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian O’Connor.
Premier Peter Beattie said the four new ambassadors he announced today represented excellence in Education and Social Policy, Health and Scientific Research, Environment and Sustainability and Creative Industries and Technology.
“This means there are now a total to eight high profile individuals who will advocate for Queensland and the Smart State vision, with the four new ambassadors announced today complementing our existing four ambassadors,” Mr Beattie said.
The existing ambassadors are Professor Glyn Davis, Professor John Hay, Professor Peter Andrews and Professor Peter Coaldrake.
“All eight ambassadors are leaders in their fields and have championed the cause of Smart State,” Mr Beattie said.
“Our four new Smart State Ambassadors demonstrate the great breadth of the Smart State and show that Queensland has world class innovators across the whole spectrum of scientific and creative endeavour.
“Since 1998, our determined push towards making Queensland the Smart State has focused on creating a place where knowledge, creativity and innovation drive economic growth to improve prosperity and quality of life for all Queenslanders.
“We have invested in world-class research facilities to retain and attract top-quality scientists to Queensland and to stimulate cutting-edge research projects.
“Last year alone, we allocated almost $74 million from the $200 million Smart State Innovation Fund for important initiatives such as the Queensland Smart Water Research facility at Griffith University, the Tropical Science and Innovation Precinct at James Cook University and our Smart State Premiers Fellowships,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Smart State Ambassador Program recognises a select number of individuals who personify the Smart State ethos.
Mr Beattie said Professor Ian Frazer was a true ambassador for Queensland and was an inspiration to every researcher who ever set out to find a cure for cancer.
“Lives will be saved because of Ian Frazer’s work in developing the world’s first cervical cancer vaccine. Women in Queensland, Australia and the world will benefit from his innovative thinking and research.”
“John Cox is one of only a handful of Queenslanders who has heard his name said after that magic sentence… and the Oscar goes to….
“John won an Academy Award in 1995 for his visual effects work on the movie Babe.
“His Creature Workshop on the Gold Coast has become internationally acclaimed as a leader in the design and manufacture of fantasy creatures and has put Queensland on the map for international filmmakers.
“Professor Ian Lowe is an internationally recognised expert on environmental issues, energy, science and technology and futures.
“His passionate commitment to the environmental sciences sets a great example for our young would-be scientists and future business leaders,” Mr Beattie said.
“After pursuing his academic career overseas and visiting fellowships at the United Nations and Asia Far East Institute in Tokyo, Corpus Christi College at Cambridge in England and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Ian O’Connor, Vice-Chancellor of Griffith University returned to Queensland and is now vice-chancellor of Griffith University.
“Professor O’Connor’s research interests are in the area of juvenile justice and child welfare and the future directions of social work and human services,” Mr Beattie said.
“I thank them for agreeing to become Smart State Ambassadors and look forward to their contribution to advancing the Smart State vision in Australia and abroad,” Mr Beattie said.
Media inquiries: 3224 4500
20 February 2007