1990-1999 Eureka Prize winners

Three Eureka Prizes were awarded in 1990

POL Eureka Prize for Environmental Research

Biological Control of Weeds Group, CSIRO

Awarded for their continued research to identify and introduce safe and effective natural enemies against a range of weeds.

Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Industry

Fauldings of Adelaide

Awarded for their commitment to research and development of sophisticated medical products.

ABC Eureka Prize for the Promotion of Science

Professor Michael Archer, UNSW

By taking media crews and private citizens to fossil digs in the Riversleigh Society, Professor Archer has done more than almost anyone to convey the excitement of archaeological and biological research into the antecedents of Australia’s animals.

Four Eureka Prizes were awarded in 1991

POL Eureka Prize for Environmental Research

Professor Martin Green, UNSW

Outstanding contribution to the development of high efficiency photovoltaic solar cells.

Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Industry

Joint winners

BHP Pty Ltd.

Awarded for their outstanding support of industrial research in Australia and its commitment to seeking greater commercial developments from publicly funded research.

and

Biotech International Ltd.

For the development and exploitation of Australian biotechnology as well as their strong commitment to research, development and training.

ABC Eureka Prize for the Promotion of Science

Professor Paul Davies

For his outstanding contribution in communicating the excitement and importance, especially physics and cosmology, to the general public through books, articles, radio and television programs and public lectures.

UNSW Press Eureka Science Book Prize

Penny van Oosterzee, photography by Reg Morrison

For ‘The Centre.’ This richly and beautifully illustrated book describes itself as ‘the first natural history of this region for 100 years and as such... the culmination of a broad spectrum of study and analysis of this little-understood part of the world’.

Five Eureka Prizes were awarded in 1992

POL Eureka Prize for Environmental Research

Dr C. C. Wallace, Museum of Tropical Queensland

The Coral Spawning Project: its nature, extent and consequences for coral ecology, larval dispersal, recruitment, hybridisation coral reef ecology and management.

Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Industry

Australian Minerals Industry Research Association

Successful management and operations of AMIRA (the Australian Minerals Industry Research Association) through providing quality development and management of jointly funded research projects for the benefit of the Association’s members.

ABC Eureka Prize for the Promotion of Science

Questacon

Bringing Science and Technology to all Australians.

Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories Peter Hunt Eureka Prize for Environmental Journalism

Joint Winners

Julian Cribb

For 'The Dead Centre Awakens'

Published in The Australian

and

Carmelo Amalfi

For 'PCB’s export story'

Published in The West Australian

UNSW Press Eureka Science Book Prize

Professor Paul Davies, University of Adelaide

For 'The Mind of God'.

Five Eureka Prizes were awarded in 1993

POL Eureka Prize for Environmental Research

Joint Winners

Professor A.J. Underwood, University of Sydney

Development of sampling and analytical procedures, published and introduced by Professor Underwood which can, for the first time, detect environmental impacts on populations which naturally vary greatly in time and space.

and

Professor David V. Boger, University of Melbourne

World-first bauxite residue disposal technique for use in Aluminia plants.

Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Industry

A & G Industries Limited

A Major national and international manufacturer for the wine, food and beverage industries.

ABC Eureka Prize for the Promotion of Science

Professor David Allen, Anglo Australian Observatory

For raising public awareness of astronomical research through lectures and writing for radio and television.

Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories Peter Hunt Eureka Prize for Environmental Journalism

Graeme O’Neill, Time Australia

Series of articles for Time Australia and The Age exploring issues ranging from the impact of European settlement upon Aboriginal health and flora to the influence of climatic and natural changes on the salinity problems in Victoria’s farmlands.

New Scientist/Reed Books Eureka Science Book Prize

Patricia Vickers-Rich and Tom Rich

Awarded for their history of vertebrate animals titled 'Wildlife of Gondwana', which was hailed for helping to ‘bridge the gap between the scientific and lay community’.

Five Eureka Prizes were awarded in 1994

POL Eureka Prize for Environmental Research

Dr Kath Bowmer, CSIRO

Dr Bowmer was selected for her outstanding research on water resources in Australia, particularly the Australian wetlands, the fate of pesticides and the impact of irrigated agriculture and the management of blue-green algae.

Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Industry

Brian Croser, Petaluma Wines

The application of scientific principles to practical winemaking.

ABC Eureka Prize for the Promotion of Science

Dr Barbara Hardy, Investigator Science & Technology Centre

Dr Hardy has been an active founder and key supporter of a range of science and environmental projects in South Australia.

Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories Peter Hunt Eureka Prize for Environmental Journalism

Kerry Brewster, SBS TV

Documentary titled 'The Mt Lyell Legacy'.

New Scientist/ Reed Books Eureka Science Book Prize

Joint Winners

Dr David Malin

For 'A View of the Universe.'

and

Mary White

For 'The Browning of Australia.'

Five Eureka Prizes were awarded in 1995

POL Eureka Prize for Environmental Research

Dr Paul Fraser, CSIRO

Ozone depleting chemicals in the global atmosphere: solving a major environmental problem by linking fundamental science with government, industry and community responses.

Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Industry

Cairns Port Authority

Adoption of the principles of environmentally sustainable development through the commissioning of baseline environmental studies and environmental audits, plus the introduction of monitoring programs to ensure responsible environmental management of its lands and waters within port limits.

ABC Eureka Prize for the Promotion of Science

Professor Ian Plimer, University of Melbourne

The use of geology to understand the history of the planet.

The Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories Peter Hunt Eureka Prize for Environmental Journalism

Kirsten Garrett, Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Documentary on the Ok Tedi mine in Papua New Guinea, ‘The Money or the Dam.’

Broadcast on Background Briefing, ABC Radio.

New Scientist/ Reed Books Eureka Science Book Prize

Dr George Seddon, University of Western Australia

For ‘Searching for the Snowy.’

Six Eureka Prizes were awarded in 1996

Australian Skeptics Eureka Prize for Critical Thinking

Trevor Case, UNSW

For his research project concerning a critical investigation into the genesis and persistence of superstitious beliefs.

POL Eureka Prize for Environmental Research

Dr Tim Flannery, Australian Museum

For contributing to public debate and increased understanding of environmental and social issues through quality research, intellectual analysis and outstanding writing skills.

Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Industry

Australian Technology Park Sydney Ltd.

For linking the integrated research strengths of it's three participating universities - the University of NSW, the University of Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney - and TAFE to the business and commercial sectors, so assisting with the commercialisation of Australian research while helping to ensure that Australian industry is innovative and internationally competitive.

ABC Eureka Prize for the Promotion of Science

Dr Alex Ritchie, Australian Museum

For popularising the science of Palaeontology and raising public awareness of the Devonian Period and the Age of Fishes.

Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories Peter Hunt Eureka Prize for Environmental Journalism

Bob Beale, Leigh Dayton, Gavin Gilchrist and James Woodford

For a major series ‘State of the Environment.’

New Scientist/ Reed Books Eureka Science Book Prize

Dr Tom Griffiths

For ‘Hunters and Collectors: the Antiquarian Imagination in Australia’, published by Cambridge University Press.

Ten Eureka Prizes were awarded in 1997

Australian Skeptics Eureka Prize for Critical Thinking

Dr Amanda Barnier, UNSW

For research involving a systematic and critical analysis of post-hypnotic suggestion.

Allen Strom Eureka Prize for Environmental Education Program

Associate Professor Noel Gough, Deakin University

For research on recent cultural and philosophical movements, such as postmodernism, which has translated and applied complex social theories to theory and practice in environmental education.

POL Eureka Prize for Environmental Research

Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick, University of Tasmania

For his outstanding contribution to knowledge of Tasmanian vegetation and conservation policies and strategies, though 25 years of research, survey and analysis on the ecology of endangered species and ecosystems. For energy, intellect and integrity.

Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Industry

Sustainable Technologies Australia Limited

For initiating and supporting research into, and developing, a novel range of energy efficient building products using Australian research and development teams.

Michael Daley Eureka Prize for the Promotion of Science

Associate Professor Michael Tyler, University of Adelaide

For outstanding work in promoting interest in the biology, ecology and plight of frogs through popular talks, museum events and straight campaigning.

Environment Australia Peter Hunt Eureka Prize for Environmental Journalism

Liz Jackson and Mark Maley

For ‘Hot Debate’, a critique of the way Australia has responded domestically and internationally to its responsibilities as a signatory of the Climate Change Convention.

Broadcast on Four Corners, ABC TV, 18 August 1997

Michael Daley Eureka Prize for Science, Technology & Engineering Print Journalism

James Woodford

For ‘Unearthed: Australia’s lost civilisation’ an article which broke the story of a previously unknown, highly controversial and ancient type of rock art which may be the oldest in the world.
Published in The Sydney Morning Herald, 21 September 1996

Michael Daley Eureka Prize for Science, Technology & Engineering Radio Journalism

Tom Morton

An in-depth look at the “millennium bug” problem which makes a complex technical issue interesting and readily understandable.
Broadcast on Background Briefing, ABC Radio National, 23 March 1997

Michael Daley Eureka Prize for Science, Technology & Engineering Television Journalism

Justin Murphy

For 'Battery Lady,' a report on problems involved in achieving commercial development of a re-chargeable vanadium battery developed by a scientist at UNSW.

Broadcast on 7.30 Report, ABC TV, 11 March 1997

New Scientist/ Reed Books Eureka Science Book Prize

Penny van Oosterzee

For ‘Where Worlds Collide: The Wallace Line’ published by Reed Books.

The timing of the annual Eureka Prizes was altered in 1998 to permit the award ceremony to take place during National Science Week in May 1999. As a result, no prizes were awarded in 1998.

11 Eureka Prizes were awarded in 1999 (with a total of 12 on offer)

Australian Skeptics Eureka Prize for Critical Thinking

Dr Melissa Finucane, University of Western Australia and Decision Research, USA

For research into public perceptions of the risks of environmental and health hazards, and why these perceptions - in particular of a negative relationship between a hazard’s risks and benefits - differ from conclusions made by scientists.

Allen Strom Eureka Prize for Environmental Education Program

Jennie Anderton, Western Australian Department of Environmental Education

For the development of Airwatch, a schools-based, air quality monitoring program designed to allow high school students to develop, through participative learning theory, an understanding of local and global air quality issues to enable them to make positive behavioural choices contributing to the environmental outcome of cleaner air.

POL Eureka Prize for Environmental Research

Dr David Lindenmayer, Australian National University and Professor Hugh Possingham, University of California, Santa Barbara

For their outstanding and ground-breaking collaborative work on population modelling for the conservation of Australia's forest fauna, as characterised in the development of a conservation plan for Leadbeater's possum - one of Australia's most controversial forest species. This was the first Population Viability Analysis to use a decision theory framework to choose between management options. Their work is outstanding both scientifically and through its impact on real world resource use.

Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Industry

No prize was awarded in 1999.

Michael Daley Eureka Prize for the Promotion of Science

Vince Ford, Mount Stromlo Observatory

Awarded for his outstanding contribution to the promotion of the science of astronomy in Australia for over 30 years and his tireless dedication and commitment, outstanding science communication skills and the generosity with which he has made his contribution.

UNSW Eureka Prize for Scientific Research

Dr Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, University of Sydney

For research into the physiological basis of coral bleaching, which has contributed significantly to the understanding of coral bleaching, by showing that this is caused by the effects of small increases in ocean temperature on the algal symbionts of reef-building corals. His recent work has identified the precise steps in the biochemistry of the symbiotic algae at which dysfunction occurs.

Environment Australia Peter Hunt Eureka Prize for Environmental Journalism

Michael Troy, Australian Broadcasting Corporation

For the development, as Environment Reporter for ABC TV News, of a collection of television news and current affairs reports dealing specifically with environmental issues, including rising salinity, the forestry debate, coral bleaching, the Jabiluka uranium mine, Landcare projects, global warming and biodiversity.

Michael Daley Eureka Prize for Science, Technology & Engineering Print Journalism

Emma Connors

For an article 'They're Young. They've got IT' which looks at the generation of young IT workers who have grown up with computers, and consequently have different working perspectives than previous generations.

Published in The Australian Financial Review Magazine, May 1998

Michael Daley Eureka Prize for Science, Technology & Engineering Radio Journalism

Ian Townsend

For a program 'DNA Detectives' which seeks to explain the impact of new DNA fingerprinting technology, and its role in reopening and solving long standing criminal cases.

Broadcast on ABC Regional Radio, 17 July 1998

Michael Daley Eureka Prize for Science, Technology & Engineering Television Journalism

Richard Smith

For a documentary 'Rumble in the Jungle' following a field trip by a group of Brazilian scientists into the Amazon jungle in search of a long lost meteor impact crater.

Broadcast on ABC TV, 5 May 1998.

Graphic World Eureka Science Book Prize

Jennifer Cooke

For a comprehensive and superbly researched book 'Cannibals, Cows and the CJD Catastrophe' about a creeping epidemic that has claimed the lives of thousands around the world. It is a disease that comes in many guises – known as Kuru among the Highlanders of Papua New Guinea, Cruetzfeld-Jacob disease in western hospitals, and Mad Cow disease in newspaper headlines. Published by Random House Australia.

University of Sydney Eureka Schools Prize for Biological Sciences

Year 11 and 12 students, Newton Moore Senior School, WA

For research and development of the ‘Rehabilitation of School Wetlands’ website which reports on the students’ research and actions to rehabilitate wetlands on their school boundary. This includes their liaison with local community groups, effective lobbying for resources, and development of a wetland rehabilitation action plan which was incorporated into their biology curriculum.