News of 1970s Leavers

News of 1970s Leavers

News has reached us of a further landmark in Old Berkhamstedian Dr Katherine Woodthorpe’s (Ru ’74) stellar STEM career in Australia. With effect from 1st January, 2023, she becomes the next President of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE), Australia’s premier organisation for engineers, technologists and applied scientists and, impressively the first woman to lead the Academy in its 47-year history.

Some inspirational words from Katherine, upon her appointment, are included below, followed by a potted history summarising her career to date: “It is an honour and a privilege to be elected President by over 900 of Australia’s brightest minds in science, technology, engineering and mathematics…At a time when more ambitious climate action is crucial and building a skilled workforce fit for an uncertain future is urgent, ATSE and its Fellows are in prime position to foster evidence-based action between government, industry and academia…

Australia is awakening to the critical role of science and technology in shaping a better world…During the pandemic – the public demanded science-based decision-making to protect lives and livelihoods. There is a resurgence in realising the value that science and evidence have in informing better decisions and outcomes. This extends from public health through to digital security, addressing climate change and preserving our unique biodiversity which is threatened by intensifying fires and floods…

The Academy plays a critical role providing independent and authoritative advice to support government and industry decision-making. We have a golden opportunity to bring these diverse perspectives to political leaders and CEOs and create better results for Australia’s sustainability and prosperity. “Put simply – we need more applied scientists, engineers and technologists at both the political and industry decision-making tables…

“I am incredibly proud to lead an Academy that is pro-actively shaping Australia’s technology-led transition to net zero emissions; supporting our research workforce and industry to translate and commercialise their innovations into economic benefits; and preparing our children for whatever the future brings by exciting them in STEM and supporting their career journeys.”

A Varied Career Journey

Born in Malaysia, raised in Hong Kong, Katherine was deeply inspired by her teachers growing up. She graduated with an honours degree in chemistry, at the University of Manchester, then a PhD in chemistry from the University of Leicester and has earned an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Technology Sydney. Her first job was in a laboratory in Kalgoorlie in Western Australia 2 at a time when women were discriminated against and this experience shaped her varied career journey from international sales executive through to leading Australia’s largest and most innovative organisations spanning healthcare, renewable energy, climate change, finance and research. Through all the arcs in her distinguished career, Dr Woodthorpe has consistently been an advocate for recognising the unsung leadership of women in STEM and for addressing the underrepresentation of women in leadership and chairing roles.

Dr Woodthorpe’s Track-Record

Dr Katherine Woodthorpe AO FTSE is one of Australia’s most influential people in innovation. She is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has been a Fellow of ATSE since 2015. In 2017, she received an Order of Australia for her ongoing service to research and technology innovation in Australia. She has been a professional director for over 20 years including as Chair of Natural Hazards Research Australia, the Antarctic Science Foundation and the HEARing Cooperative Research Centre. She has been a Director of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Bioplatforms Australia

(NCRIS), the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, Vast Solar, and listed companies Sirtex and Anteotech. She previously chaired the National Climate Science Advisory Committee and currently chairs the Government’s “Vision 2040” committee reviewing the strategy for investment in medical research for the next two decades.

Dr Woodthorpe will be the 10th President of the Academy since its founding President Sir Ian McLennan KCMG KBE FTS FAA was elected in 1975. The President of the Academy is elected by its Fellows for a three-year term.

Next stop is Boston (MA). Over to our American Correspondent, and fellow OB, Ghia Truesdale (née Szwed, Ru ’79):

“We are all saddened by the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on this side of “the pond”; and we wish continued success to the reigning Monarch and his Queen Consort. Thank you very much for reaching out to me.

As a Sixth Form classmate of Dr Brigitta Case (née Norris, NS ’80), I had the good fortune to have received an English-speaking Union merit scholarship to study for one year at Berkhamsted School for Girls, as a “gap year” following the completion of my own American prep school, Holderness School in New Hampshire, contingent

upon my acceptance to a US university (Wells College, Aurora, NY which, at the time, was the sister school to Cornell University; alas, meanwhile it’s gone co-ed), 1979-1980. Lots has happened in between: children grown and flown, career in business and as an author of young adult thrillers under my pen name G.G. Garth, and a ghostwriter for talented academics and entertainment industry professionals in a range of genres. Most notably, may I draw your attention to:

1. My five books on contemporary fine art, published by London’s best arts publisher, Scala Arts Publishers, that share the wonders of successful living artists such as Hunt Slonem, Mr Brainwash, Robert Mars, Stephen Wilson, and, launching in December 2022, Halim A. Flowers.

2. ILLYRIA, historical fiction trilogy by Star Trek actor (Quark, the Ferengi bartender) Armin Shimerman, an Elizabethan spy thriller that chronicles Dr John Dee (The Queen’s Conjuror) as his 16-year-old Midlands’ minion, one William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon, learns the ropes of spycraft and refines his craft as a writer. (NOTE: Book 3 launches January 2023).

3. JANE TWO, novel by Sean Patrick Flanery (star of BOONDOCK SAINTS, and George Lucas’ YOUNG INDIANA JONES tv series), for which I also co-wrote the screenplay that is in development.

For more info on all the above please go to https:// gggarthproductions.com/

Also, for fun, and to help tighten my writing, I “cross-train,” moonlighting as a SAG-AFTRA actor. For example, I have had the immense pleasure of working as a background actor on the HBO Max tv series JULIA about Julia Child, starring Britain’s Own, Dame Sarah Lancashire. Kindly scroll down to the 7th photo in this PEOPLE MAGAZINE article about JULIA, and you’ll see me seated dead center in the background to the left of Lady Sarah – https://people.com/tv/juliafirst-look-photos-premiere-date-hbo-max-series-onjulia-child/

And to think… it’s all thanks to my excellent Berkhamsted training in Harold Pinter’s THE BIRTHDAY PARTY which was a Boys’ School/Girls’ School theatre collaboration – Does anyone recall the Boys’ School director’s name? He was terrific, and very thorough. Seared in my memory is the appalled look on the face of our formidable Headmistress, Mary Rose Bateman, seated in the front row, when I, playing Lulu, sauntered onto stage in a tarty sequined number. I have such fond memories of so many wonderful discoveries and friendships during my year at Berkhamsted. And am happy that I am still in touch with Brigitta, as well as Mini Ali (née Habib).

If anyone is in Boston, if I can be of use, please don’t hesitate to be in touch.”