Science, Technology and Engineering

School of Life Sciences

Department of Environmental Management & Ecology

Science Week starts with a bang at Albury-Wodonga campus.

Media release August 2009

On Monday 17th August, the Annual Hartung Youth Lecture, sponsored by The Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI), took place at the Albury-Wodonga campus of La Trobe University.

Close to 450 secondary school students from 14 local and regional schools were be educated and entertained by the 2009 lecture, “Chemistry with a Bang”, which focussed on the science of explosions and was delivered by Dr John Reid, an explosives expert from Thales Australia.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of the lecture, there were two lecture sessions: 11.00am - 12.15pm and 1.30pm - 2.45pm.

The Hartung Youth Lecture Series are targeted at secondary students in Years 10 and 11 and aim to inspire a love of and fascination with Science. In the 2009 lectures, delivered in three regional centres and Melbourne, students will learn about a range of high energy reactions from the past and present – including the air bag reaction.

The 2009 lecture promises to be a spectacular experience, in the tradition of the original lectures given by Professor Ernest Hartung (1893-1979), eminent Australian professor of chemistry and astronomer, over 50 years ago.

Dr John Reid, the 2009 Hartung lecturer, has had a distinguished career as a student, researcher and industrial chemist. He has held positions in industry as a researcher, engineer and manager in companies manufacturing pharmaceuticals and ordnance. Since 2003 he has worked as a senior chemist and laboratory manager for Thales Australia (formerly Australian Defense Industries) at Mulwala and Benalla. His responsibilities involve overseeing the chemical analysis of explosives and propellants, testing ballistic performance of products and testing ammunition.

“We were very pleased with the response from the secondary schools. This lecture provided a fantastic opportunity for the students to learn more about this branch of applied chemistry. Dr Reid is not only well qualified to inform about the nature of explosive reactions, but also of the benefits and opportunities of choosing a career through the study of Chemistry,” stated Martin Fussell, Chemistry Lecturer, Department of Environmental Management and Ecology, Albury-Wodonga campus.