A New Member of the Order of Australia at the University of Newcastle

Thursday 11 May 2006

It was announced on Australia Day this year that the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Newcastle's Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Professor John Carter was to be awarded with a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

The citation of the award was for Service to Civil Engineering through research into soil and rock mechanics and as an academic, author and adviser.

Last week he was presented with the award at Government House in Sydney.

"I got a shock. Surprise was the first reaction, that a group of people had thought enough of me to nominate me. I didn't know about it until I was contacted to ask whether I would accept the award. It was a great honour," Professor Carter said.

The University of Sydney's Professor John Small was among the group to identify and nominate John Carter as a worthy candidate for the award.

"John Carter has made big contributions to education at a tertiary level, plus he has also contributed a lot to the profession," Professor Small said.

Professor John Carter, who modestly kept the news of the announcement a secret from his colleagues until recently, has worked in areas relating to off-shore oil and gas rigs, including trying to improve the design and stability of the foundations of those that produce oil and gas.

His passion and dedication to his area of expertise began a long time ago.

"I was always interested in geology and mathematics and what I do combines both of them with practical outcomes.

"I have a fascination with trying to understand how the ground behaves mechanically and to try and develop models to be used in engineering predictions of ground behavior, for example, whether a hillside is stable or whether you risk a landslide," he added.

His latest honour adds to a list of awards and achievements, including being a fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, invited to speak as the prestigious E H Davis lecturer, and asked to lecture in Canada in 2004, delivering 12 lectures, in 11 cities in 10 days.

"Professor John Carter has made great contributions to research and those contributions are in off shore geo-mechanics, which has implications for the economy of this country," says John Small.

For media comment please contact
Professor John Small - University of Sydney - 02 9351 2128
Pro Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, Professor John Carter 4921 6025