A legacy of impact in science and public policy; from water and environment to women in science and higher education.

Woodruff (Microbiology) Lecture Theatre Building 184, University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, Parkville

The Royal Society of Victoria is pleased to hold a one day symposium to mark the very significant contribution of Emeritus Professor Nancy Millis AC to microbiology, science, higher education, public policy and the role of women in science in Victoria.
Nancy Millis AC has had a dynamic and enduring impact on public life in Victoria, over diverse fields, from her own discipline of microbiology to higher education, water management, health, women in science, environmental protection, monitoring of gene technologies and the promotion of science.

Emeritus Professor Nancy Millis AC
She graduated Ph.D. from Bristol in 1952 and in 1954, took up an American Association for University Women scholarship to the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Her research in fermentation extended to a sabbatical in 1963 to work with Suichi Aiba at the Institute of Applied Microbiology at Tokyo University. Nancy Millis was only the fourth woman to be appointed as a Professor at the University of Melbourne, her achievements recognised with the award of a personal chair in 1982. She chaired the Recombinant DNA Monitoring Committee, set up in 1980 to advise on the likely effects of proposals for genetic research involving transfer of genes between organisms.

Nancy Millis has been a member of the Board of Management of the Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital, the Australian Water Advisory Resources Committee, the Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology, the Council of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences, the National Commission for UNESCO and many other professional organisations. She was President of University House in 1987 and appointed Chancellor of La Trobe University in 1992.

Professor Millis was awarded an MBE in 1977 and in the same year was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences. She was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1990. In 1993, she was awarded an honorary D.Sc. from the University of Melbourne and in 2002 was one of five Australian scientists featured on Australian stamps.
There are symposia, invited addresses and a meeting dinner (optional, at additional cost).

The Nancy Millis AC Symposium is Proudly Sponsored by The University of Melbourne

Speakers include:

  • Professor Peter Doherty, Nobel Laureate (University of Melbourne)
  • Professor Don Bursill AM, (University of South Australia)
  • Professor James Pittard (University of Melbourne)
  • Professor Michael Osborne (La Trobe University)
  • Professor James McCluskey (University of Melbourne)
  • Professor Adrienne Clarke (University of Melbourne)
  • Professor Edwina Cornish (Monash University)
  • Adjunct Professor Terry Hillman (La Trobe University)
  • Professor Tony Klein (University of Melbourne)
  • Ms Sally Morrison (Author)
  • Dr Christina Cheers (University of Melbourne)
  • Mr Rob Skinner (Melbourne Water)
  • Dr Martha Sinclair (Monash University)
  • Mr Ross Young (Australian Water Services Assn)
  • Mr Geoff Vincent (ex-Parks Victoria)
  • With Em. Professor Nancy Millis AC (University of Melbourne) having "Her right of reply"

Symposium Dinner
Graduate House
220 Leicester Street, Carlton.

The Hon Dr Barry Jones AO (as the after-dinner speaker)