Years of work promoting the chemistry profession to young students, has seen Charles Sturt University academic Charles Fogliani, receive a coveted professional industry award.

For 14 years, Mr Fogliani has encouraged primary and high school students into science through the promotion of Australian National Chemistry Week and the highly popular Australian National Chemistry Quiz.

The Chemistry Quiz which is run annually, now attracts over 97,000 entrants from 1,634 schools in Australia and overseas. Mr Fogliani is also responsible for the Australian Chemistry Resource Book, which is now up to its 16th volume.

Through the Quiz and other research Mr Fogliani has undertaken outreach work to universities across South East Asia and developing countries in the region.

In recognition of this contribution, the NSW Council of Professions recently awarded Mr Fogliani their annual award for Outstanding Service to the Community.

The Council is made up of representatives from 13 professional bodies including the Australian Medical Association, Australian Dental Association, Law Society of NSW, Australian Society of CPA’s and the Institution of Engineers, Australia.

Patron of the Council, His Excellency the Hon. Gordon Samuels, Governor of NSW, presented the award in a ceremony at the Law Society in Sydney recently.

Council member, past president of the Royal Australian Chemistry Institute and the man who nominated Mr Fogliani, Graeme Paul, said the award was justly deserved.

“All this work Charles is doing has been going on for a long time without true reward and it’s wonderful to finally see that work recognised,” Mr Paul said.

“His service to the profession of Chemistry and science in general is unparalleled and it makes one humble to realise the sustained pro-bono effort that Charles, his wife Mary and the rest of the family have given society,” he said. ends Further information: