:: Chemistry Centre Farewell to John Hosking

The West Australian Chemistry Centre has seen the end of an era with the retirement of Managing Director Dr John Hosking after 15 years at the helm. Dr Hosking was appointed Director of CCWA in 1988, before which he served as the centre's Chief of Mineral Science Laboratory for four years. Having obtained his PhD at the University of Sydney, and undertaken two years post-doctoral studies in the US, Dr Hosking moved to Perth in 1968 where he joined the staff at the University of Western Australia. He then moved on to the Western Australian Institute of Technology, now Curtin University.

In the early 1980s Dr Hosking collaborated on research projects relating to the use of activated carbon for the recovery of gold. These projects have continued and now form a major program in the AJ Parker Cooperative Research Centre for Hydrometallurgy.

Dr Hosking said the highlight of CCWA while he was Managing Director has been the transition the centre has taken from high volume analytical work to emphasising more on investigations, problem solving, research and the significant scientific advances made by the staff.

"Times have changed, and the centre has adapted to these changes very well," Dr Hosking said. "We work more closely with clients than ever before and have seen a steady growth in the number of collaborative projects with universities, government agencies, CSIRO and research centres that we've undertaken.

"We have over 25 funded research projects under way, in addition to our work on environmental studies and taking the lead in emergency responses involving chemicals.

"The Chemistry Centre's strengths rely on the superb scientific expertise of our staff, extensive quality systems and a focus on clients needs.