Paul Callaghan awarded Blake Medal for leadership

Sir Peter Blake Trust
Leadership Awards 2007
MEDIA RELEASE
Saturday 28 July 2007

Professor Paul Callaghan awarded Blake Medal for leadership

Professor Callaghan became the third recipient of the Blake Medal at a special ceremony hosted by His Excellency, Honourable Anand Satyan and, Governor General of New Zealand at Government House in Wellington Saturday (28 July 2007). The ceremony was attended by Pippa, Lady Blake and her daughter Sarah Jane Blake and other dignitaries.

Six Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leader Awards were also presented at the event, these awards recognised the developing leadership potential of Shelly Campbell, Annette Fale, Andrew Grant, Steven Hall, Tim O’Connor and Dr Justin Vaughan.

Paul Callaghan is one of New Zealand’s best known and highly respected scientists, both within the scientific community and among the wider population. He has shown outstanding leadership over 30 years as a scientist, a teacher, a science administrator and communicator.

Professor Callaghan has taken on a role as a leader in science and science education in New Zealand and internationally. He has had a significant role in leading the establishment of New Zealand’s performance based research funding system for tertiary institutions. He has also led the development of science communication to the wider public and has taken it as an almost personal crusade to de-mystify science and convey the relevance and excitement of science for all of society.

Sir Ron Carter, chair of the Awards Selection Panel commented: “We are delighted with the calibre of nominations we received from throughout the country, honouring Professor Callaghan in this way is very appropriate but we are equally enthusiastic about honouring our six emerging leaders through these awards.”

The Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leader Awards honour six younger leaders showing significant potential. For 2007 the recipients are: Waikato Primary Health Organisation chief executive, Shelly Campbell; The Halogen Foundation General Manager, Annette Fale; Commander of the HMNZS TE KAHA, Andrew Grant; Outward Bound Operations Manager, Steven Hall; Palmerston North Boys High School Principal, Tim O’Connor and chief executive of New Zealand Cricket, Dr Justin Vaughan.

Pippa, Lady Blake, a trustee of the Sir Peter Blake Trust who spoke at the awards stated: “The Sir Peter Blake Leadership Awards are an outstanding programme and the inspirational New Zealanders that we have honoured in 2007 and over the past three years show what extraordinary talent this country has.”

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