Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Professor Warren Somerville has been recognised in the 2007 Australia Day honours for his life-long fascination with collecting rocks, minerals and fossils. He was made a member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to natural history and the community. “I was very surprized at this unexpected award, but I feel it is recognition of the valuable contribution that the collection makes to education generally and the Bathurst community in particular,” Professor Somerville said. In 2000 Professor Somerville donated what is now known as The Somerville Collection, which is valued between $6 million to $12 million, to the Australian Mineral and Fossil Museum in Bathurst.