Eminent Australasian corrosion practitioners and researchers who have delivered the lecture include Greig Wallwork (in 1983), Graham Wright (in 1984), Graeme Kelly (in 1986), Brian Cherry (in 1987), Ian MacLeod (in 1988), John Duncan (in 1990), Les Boulton (in 1993), David Nicholas (in 1994), Peter Farinha (in 1995), Paul Schweinsberg (in 1997), Tony Betts (in 2000), Brian Martin (in 2001), Bruce Ackland (in 2005), Rob Melchers (in 2009) and Graham Sussex (in 2012). It is not by coincidence that many of these eminent PFT Lecturers have also been past ACA Presidents, Operations Committee Members, Branch Presidents, Corrosion & Materials Journal Editors and Associate Editors, Conference Paper Reviewers, etc. This is a clear demonstration of their giving something back to the corrosion profession. As a form of appreciation, the ACA have also afforded many of these past PFT Lecturers Life Membership not just for their contributions to the practice of corrosion and the research thereof but also as recognition of their volunteer contributions to the ACA.
The gaps in the table are not because the PFT Lectures were not given, but because in those days hard-copies only of proceedings were produced and there are no copies of the proceedings for the 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 & 1979 Conferences in the ACA Library.
The 1978 P F Thompson Lecturer is significant. J W Thompson, John (Jack) Thompson, was the eldest son of PFT. Like his father, J W Thompson was also a metallurgist. It was Jack Thompson’s eldest son Graham Thompson (also a metallurgist) that was entrusted with PFT’s files and from which so much more information on PFT has been able to be gleaned.
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P.F. Thompson Memorial Lecture – Rules and Guidelines
Percival Faraday Thompson (1885-1951) is recognized as Australasia’s pioneer in the science and technology of metallic corrosion and its mitigation. In recognition of this singular distinction the Australasian Corrosion Association inaugurated the P.F. Thompson Memorial Lecture in 1971.
The following Rules and Guidelines apply:
- The P.F. Thompson Memorial Lecture is the Association’s premier dedicated Lecture and is delivered not more frequently than annually at an Australasian Conference of the Association.
- The named dedication of the Lecture cannot he changed or amplified except by resolution of the Association’s governing body supported in writing by a majority of the Association’s Branches.
- The P.F. Thompson Memorial Lecturer is selected by the Technical Committee with support and approval by the ACA Board.
- The Lecturer is selected for his or her meritorious contributions to the science or technology of materials corrosion and its mitigation, preferably performed at least in part in Australasia.
- Being wholly honorific the Lecture carries no monetary award, but the Lecturer is entitled to complimentary registration for the Conference at which the Lecture is delivered and, at the discretion of the Association (and of any specifically appointed sponsors), expenses may be fully or partly refunded to the Lecturer.
- The Lecturer may speak on any topics relevant to the Association’s aims and interests, but is encouraged to mark P.F. Thompson’s distinction by referring to or emulating the academic and technical qualities for which Thompson became known, particularly his prowess with practical demonstration. The Lecturer may use assistance during the Lecture, but he or she is uniquely the named Lecturer.