Tasmanian Humboldtianer are few in number but enthusiastic in spirit, and this year’s annual Humboldt birthday dinner was an enjoyable affair in late November at the Boathouse Restaurant, Cornelian Bay.
This was attended by both members and guests including Mrs Dianne Bye, Hon Consul for Germany and France; Dr Simon Ellingsen, recently returned from a period of leave in Germany and Humboldt support; Dr Yuri Guven, a recently appointed research leader in the Menzies Centre for Population Studies, who has strong contacts with research and researchers on Germany, and also Dr Venta Terauds, who recently returned after a period of research and teaching in Mathematics at the University of Bielefeld, with host Prof Michael Baake, a longstanding contact and regular visitor to the School of Mathematics and Physics.
Our AAvHF distinguished member Dr George Bornemissza, is unfortunately gravely ill, and was unable to attend. George was kindly represented by his wife Jo who joined us on the night. (Following the 2011 biennial meeting and of the distinguished member award, last year’s dinner was occasion at the University Club for the conferral to Geore and Jo in person. We were delighted to have the German Embassy Kulturreferent Dr Hubertus Klink to share the gala occasion with us). Absent this year was Dr Michael Gardiner, who is spending part of his academic leave with German contacts on a resumption of his Humboldt Fellowship, and also Prof Jeff Malpas, who continues his collaborations with German colleagues. Jeff has been at the forefront of the AAvHF’s recent efforts to secure from the Australian Government, some kind of reciprocal named Fellowship for hosting German researchers, in recognition of the long and generous commitment of the German Government shown to Australians through the Humboldt scheme. The jury is still out on the fate of our efforts, but prevail we surely shall!