Vale Graeme O'Neill

It is with sadness we report the sudden death of Graeme O’Neill, aged 68, on Sunday December 20 last year. As a science journalist Graeme was a regular contributor to Lab+Life Scientist, where his particular interest in molecular genetics, biotechnology and botany was evident.

Graeme’s skills as a science communicator were recognised many times as he was awarded two Michael Daley Awards for Best Science Feature in an Australian newspaper/magazine, the 1994 Peter Hunt Eureka Prize for Environmental Journalism, the inaugural Amgen Award for Biotechnology Journalism, plus an award for best science feature in an Australian University magazine.

He began his journalism career as a ­cadet at Sunraysia Daily in 1965 and went on to work as a science writer and columnist with various publications, including The Canberra Times, The Age and Time Magazine, as well as with CSIRO.

His writing was not confined to the local scene as he also contributed to international research journals including Nature, Nature Biotechnology and Science.

Our thoughts are with Graeme’s family at this time.