Written by Nicole Lau Wednesday, 31 March 2010 15:16
MINISTER for Science and Innovation Troy Buswell has officially opened the new wing of Curtin University of Technology's Resources and Chemistry Precinct, the new home of ChemCentre.
“In so many ways the move six months ago and formalised today marks an important point in the transition of ChemCentre,” said Minister Buswell.
The Minister said he believed that with the “fantastic” new facilities and its dedicated staff the future for ChemCentre looks very bright.
The new wing of the Precinct has been named in honour of Emeritus Professor Ian Ritchie, renowned for his work in hydrometallurgy.
“Very, very, very few people indeed have been honoured by having their names associated with a major building as such as this...I am deeply grateful to the ChemCentre board for honouring me in this way,” said Professor Ritchie.
Dr Brett Mattes, Chairperson of the ChemCentre board said the move to the Precinct and to the Ian Ritchie wing was a key element in achieving Chemcentre’s future vision.
“ChemCentre in its current form was born out of an act of parliament that had full bipartisan support in August 2007. On the date that act was passed ChemCentre was the state’s most recent statutory authority.
“By 2015 ChemCentre will be a commercial enterprise that is recognised as Australia’s most trusted and effective provider of emergency response and complex chemistry solutions.”
Minister Buswell lent his support to this vision and said he had absolutely no doubt that it will be ably supported by CEO Peter Millington and his team at ChemCentre.
Vice Chancellor of Curtin Jeanette Hacket also acknowledged the significance of the move.
“We believe that the relocation of ChemCentre to the Curtin campus and this Precinct acknowledges the advantages of being co-located with Curtin’s department of chemistry with our complimentary interests in areas such as forensic science, water and environmental chemistry,” she said.
