:: Former CEO Named Top WA Scientist of the Year

Professor Ian Ritchie, the former CEO of the Parker Centre, has won the $10,000 major prize in the 2003 Western Australian Premier’s Science Awards.

WA Premier Dr Geoff Gallop presented Professor Ritchie with the Premier’s Prize for Achievement in Science at a ceremony held on 21 November 2003. Professor Ritchie received the award for his outstanding work in the field of hydrometallurgy.

Dr Gallop said Professor Ritchie has made many novel discoveries in chemistry - spanning an unusually wide range of research areas. "He also initiated and developed the AJ Parker Cooperative Research Centre for Hydrometallurgy, which produces millions of dollars worth of research savings for the State's mining industry."

While officially retired, Professor Ian Ritchie is currently an Emeritus Professor at Murdoch University.

The Premier's Science Awards were initiated in 2002 to recognise and celebrate the diversity and excellence of scientific research in Western Australia.