The Society was delighted that its Patron, Her Excellency The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of NSW, was able to present the Society’s 2019 Awards at a special ceremony in the Ballroom at Government House on Thursday, 13 August. The awards were unable to be presented at this year’s Annual Dinner, which had been held virtually, because of the current pandemic.
The ceremony was necessarily conducted under unusual conditions. The guests were limited in number and were seated according to the four square metre rule. The Governor passed the medals and certificates to the recipients across a suitably-sized table.
In her remarks, The Governor spoke appreciatively of the Society’s role in the intellectual life of New South Wales. She said how pleased she was to be able to present the awards at this time as it was the first major presentation event held at Government House since March because of the pandemic.
As well as the 2019 Awards, The Governor presented Scientia Professor George Paxinos AO DistFRSN with his Distinguished Fellowship of the Society. The Society expresses its warmest congratulations to all recipients.
Following the ceremony, The Society was treated to a socially-distanced morning tea on the terrace taking full advantage of the glorious winter sunshine and the recently restored gardens. We are very grateful to Her Excellency for making this special occasion possible under such difficult circumstances.
Award winners with the Her Excellency, The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of NSW. Clockwise, from the upper left, they are: Professor Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh, Honorary Professor Evelleen Richards, Emeritus Professor Brynn Hibbert, and Scientia Professor George Paxinos AO DistFRSN.