Worner Lecture series

Worner brothers: Howard, Neil and Hill.

The Worner Research Lecture is part of an annual program of public lectures. The aim of the Worner Lecture series is to publicise all research carried out at our Bendigo Campus.

The University is proud to be associated with the Worner brothers, Howard, Neil and Hill, who were students at Bendigo School of Mines, a forerunner of La Trobe University, Bendigo. The three brothers were raised on a farm in the Mallee. In the early 1930s, they studied at Bendigo School of Mines: Howard and Hill for a Diploma of Industrial Chemistry and Neil for a Diploma of Civil Engineering. All three brothers later won prestigious scholarships to Melbourne University.

Howard Worner's distinguished career in academia and industry led him to an honorary professorship at the University of Wollongong, where he was Director of the Microwave Applications Institute from 1989. In 1994, La Trobe University conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Science (honoris causa). Howard passed away in November 2006 aged 93.

Neil Worner went on to a career in civil engineering, including the job of Chief Civil Engineer with the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority. His career continued in senior and advisory capacities in Australia and overseas on projects such as the design and construction of major dams.

Hill Worner's career included several years on the Executive of the CSIRO, and twenty-two years as Professor of Metallurgy and three as Dean of Engineering and Professor Emeritus in Engineering at The University of Melbourne. Professor Hill Worner died in March 2002.

The Worner Research Lectures have thus far covered subjects as diverse as: micro-organisms, mathematics, gold, rural health, new technology, the environment and ancient greek poetry.

Contact us

Worner Research Lecture

La Trobe University
PO Box 199
Bendigo Victoria, 3552
Australia

T: (03) 5444 7222
F: (03) 5444 7777
E: bendigo@latrobe.edu.au