ANU - Centre for the Public Awareness of Science

CPAS was launched in 1996. Although it was an initiative of the present Director, Dr Sue Stocklmayer, the first Director was Emeritus Professor Chris Bryant. This was a pragmatic decision as Dr Stocklmayer was a very new appointment to the ANU and it was felt that Professor Bryant, with nearly forty years of experience of the ways of the University, should 'mind the shop' until Dr Stocklmayer had acquired some experience. The hand-over happened in 1998.

It was quite a coup for CPAS to have Professor Richard Dawkins (The first Charles Simonyi professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford) perform the opening ceremony for CPAS. After receiving an honorary degree (Hon D Litt) from the University he spent the rest of the afternoon at CPAS (in its old quarters of what is now the Frank Fenner Buiding) where he cracked a ceremonial 'ibis egg' and mixed with members of the university.

Figure 1. Professor Bryant opens the proceedings by welcoming visitors and introducing the Dean of Science, Professor Rick Pashley (in the background)

Figure 2. Professor Bryant explains the significance of the 'ibis egg' – the ibis, found scavenging in the world's rubbish heaps, is the logo of CPAS. Professor Dawkins is in the foreground. Dr Sue Stocklmayer is standing on the dais next to the Vice Chancellor. Professor Deane Terrell. The Chancellor, Professor Peter Baume is on the extreme right. Professor Jim Peacock, then Head of CSIRO Plant Industry, is in the front row.

Figure 3. Professor Rick Pashley welcomes guests on behalf of the Faculty of Science. Dr Sue Stocklmayer and Professor Chris Bryant are in the background.

Figure 4. The Chancellor, Professor Peter Baume, welcomes and introduces Professor Dawkins.

Figure 5. Professor Dawkins addresses the gathering. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Terrell and Masters student Ms Jan Bitmead look on.

Figure 6. Professor Richard Dawkins

Figure 7. The egg is in the pan!

Figure 8. The Chancellor, Professor Baume, makes a presentation to Professor Dawkins on behalf of CPAS.

Figure 9. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Terrell, presents an ANU Commemorative Medal to Professor Dawkins.

Figure 10. Professors Dawkins, Terrell and Baume in the crowd.

Figure 11. The Shell Questacon Science Circus performs. The worst restaurant in the world. Scholars Luke Fletcher, Damon Shorter and Cathy Horvath.

Figure 12. The Shell Questacon Science Circus performs. The worst restaurant in the world. Scholars Luke Fletcher, Damon Shorter and Cathy Horvath.

Figure 13. The Shell Questacon Science Circus performs. The worst restaurant in the world. Scholar Fiona Joshua.

Figure 14. The Shell Questacon Science Circus performs. The worst restaurant in the world. Scholars Damon Shorter and Cathy Horvath.