Following his PhD, the first awarded by La Trobe University (in chemistry), Geoffrey Scollary began his academic career as a Lecturer at the Melbourne College of Advanced Education in 1971, where he specialised in the teaching of analytical and environmental chemistry. In 1989 the college amalgamated with the University of Melbourne and Geoff transferred as Senior Lecturer in analytical chemistry to the Institute of Education and then to the School of Chemistry in 1993. Geoff 's early research was in inorganic chemistry but in 1982 he decided to focus on analytical chemistry. He has published more than eighty papers and articles concerned with research, teaching and application of analytical chemistry as well as presenting invited lectures at major international and national meetings. He has also attracted considerable internationally competitive research funding particularly in the area of analytical chemistry applied to wine science. 

He is a prime mover behind the introduction of modern analytical chemistry to Australia’s wine industry, which has enabled him to elucidate several fundamental oenological processes. His contribution to wine science and his collaboration with the industry was duly recognised when, in 1997, he was appointed to the Chair of Wine Science at Charles Sturt University. 

His enthusiastic support of the Research and Development Topics meetings (Analytical Division, RACI), since its inception in 1993, has realised a continuing funding commitment from the Division for these conferences, which showcase and promote the work of the next generation of Australia’s analytical chemists. Fittingly, an extremely successful Eighth Research and Development Topics meeting was held at Charles Sturt University at Wagga Wagga in December 2000.

In summary, Geoffrey Scollary has made, and continues to make, an outstanding contribution to all facets of analytical chemistry in this country and is a most worthy and deserving recipient of the Analytical Division Medal for 2000.