High schools flock to second Suzuki lecture

Mar 14, 2005

World-renowned environmentalist, Dr David Suzuki, who recently addressed a sell-out audience of more than 1,000 people at the University of Wollongong Hall returns to Wollongong this Thursday (March 17) to what promises to be another overflowing University Hall.

The second lecture has been made possible through a Wollongong City Council and University of Wollongong partnership arrangement which will allow selected high school students to hear the lecture free of charge. Tickets are being made available this week for members of the public. About 400 people were unable to secure a ticket to Dr Suzuki's last lecture on March 4.

Wollongong City Council (WCC) is the major sponsor supporting Dr Suzuki's visit through the Environment Fund. Last year Council introduced 'Sustainability Begins at Home', a special program linking people and businesses to achieve sustainability outcomes. WCC is committing $1 million each year to the Environment Fund specifically for sustainability projects across the range of environmental issues, including public education. The focus is on strong community involvement and participation.

The University of Wollongong and its faculties of Engineering, Science and Law have sponsored the event to attract high school students considering a career in the environment. Environmental degrees at UOW include Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Environmental Law. Representatives will be on hand to answer questions on these degrees. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gerard Sutton, will provide the vote of thanks.

Dr Suzuki is recognised as a world leader in sustainable ecology, as well as being a multi award-winning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster for the past 30 years. After earning his PhD in Zoology from the University of Chicago in 1961, he has authored or co-authored 42 books and is the current holder of 16 honorary doctorates. He hosts CBC's The Nature of Things and produced A Planet for the Taking, The Secret of Life and The Brain among others for television and Quirks and Quarks for radio. Dr Suzuki has received numerous awards for his work, including a UNESCO prize for science, a United Nations Environment Program medal and the Order of Canada. He chairs the David Suzuki Foundation and is emeritus professor with the University of British Columbia's Sustainable Development Research Institute.

When: 12.30pm, Thursday March 17

Where: University Hall, UniCentre, University of Wollongong

Media please note: Dr Suzuki is available for media interviews following the conclusion of his lecture at 2pm.

Tickets go on sale today (March 14) at $10 for students and $15 for adults and are available at UOW's UniCentre Bookshop, or call Peter Vrahas on 4221 8173.

For further media information contact Luke Scott on 0413 547 679.

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128