2009 Farrer Memorial Medal to be presented tonight
Well known edible oils researcher Dr Rodney Mailer will tonight be presented with the 2009 Farrer Memorial Medal and deliver the Annual Farrer Oration to an international audience of his peers during a gala dinner at Sydney Convention Centre.
Industry & Investment NSW Director-General and Farrer Memorial Trust Chairman, Dr Richard Sheldrake, will present the prestigious award to Dr Mailer at the 28th International Society for Fat Research Congress dinner.
Dr Richard Sheldrake said Dr Mailers award recognises his outstanding contribution to edible oils research in Australia, in particular his work on canola and olive oil.
"Over the last 30 years Dr Mailer has become internationally recognised for his work on variety breeding and quality testing," Dr Sheldrake said.
"Dr Mailer has been involved with the release of 22 canola cultivars, which have at times made up 50% of Australias $600 million canola crop.
"He has been instrumental in the development of the Australian canola industry through his research work, which included screening breeding lines, identifying quality traits and investigating environmental impacts on quality.
"Dr Mailers research has also involved the development of laboratory methodology and selection from 30,000 canola lines annually.
"His studies on olive oil quality, harvest timing, irrigation and storage have earned Dr Mailer international recognition for his major contribution to the development of the Australian olive industry.
"The value of his research is reflected in the high level of funding support from industry for studies on oil and meal quality from oil crops, including five current fully funded projects.
"Dr Mailer has published 45 scientific papers and made more than 140 conference or workshop presentations, many of which were presented overseas.
"He is closely aligned with several universities, being an Adjunct Associate Professor with Charles Sturt University and previously Senior Academic Associate at the University of Western Sydney and Sydney University."
Dr Mailer joined the NSW Department of Agriculture in 1979. In 1982 he graduated in Applied Science for Charles Sturt University (CSU) and was appointed as an oilseeds chemist. He completed a PhD at University of Manitoba, Canada, in 1993.
Dr Mailer is currently a Principal Research Scientist with Industry & Investment NSW and the EH Graham Centre at Wagga Wagga.
The Farrer Memorial Medal was established in 1911 to perpetuate the memory of William Farrer and to encourage and inspire agricultural scientists. William Farrer was a former employee of the NSW Department of Agriculture.
The Medal is awarded annually to a person who has provided distinguished service in agricultural science in the areas of research, education, extension or administration.
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Media contact: Sarah McGregor 02 6391 3180