Harvard University mineralogy curator pays tribute to Worner Collection

Mar 24, 2004

The Curator of Mineralogy at Harvard University and Chairman of the International Mineralogical Association's Committee on Museums, Dr Carl Francis, yesterday (March 23) paid a special visit to the Howard Worner display of rare minerals at the University of Wollongong's Science Building.

The Worner display, gathered by Howard since 1932, has been recognised as the best mineral display of any Australian university or teaching institution. It consists of about 1,000 mineral, rock and fossil specimens and 18 medals and awards.

Dr Francis, who oversees 150,000 rocks, fossils and minerals in a collection that dates back to the 18th century, said he was very impressed with the display by his friend and colleague, Professor Worner.

Professor Worner, CBE, now aged 90, still works as a scientific adviser for the University's Illawarra Technology Corporation (ITC) and has been described as a true icon of Australian metallurgy and materials science.

He is a recipient of a Centenary Medal issued by the Federal Government and was also the first non-American to win the international steel industry's Benjamin F.Fairless Award in 2002.

The collection predominantly contains Australian specimens but there were also samples from all over the world including significant contributions from Mexico and Chile. Historically significant specimens include those from Sir Maurice Mawby and Sir Douglas Mawson.