Professor Frank Fenner dies aged 95

Australian scientists today paid tribute to the distinguished life and career of Professor Frank Fenner AC, MBE who passed away today aged 95.

One of this country’s most respected and accomplished scientists, professor Fenner worked for many years combatting malaria, earning himself an MBE in 1945. He was also a key figure behind the World Health Organisation’s drive to eliminate smallpox, while Australian farmers owe him a great debt for overseeing the introduction of the myxoma virus, which helped to contain successive rabbit plagues.

Among his many titles and awards, professor Fenner was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1989, for his contribution to medical science, the environment and public health. He was also a member of the Australian Science Media Centre’s Science Advisory Panel.

“Australia mourns the passing of one of its greatest biological scientists, Frank Fenner,” lamented Sir Gustav Nossal, Emeritus Professor with the Department of Pathology at the University of Melbourne.

“At a personal level, I mourn the loss of a friend and colleague who has influenced my career for 59 years, ever since I did my Bachelor of Science (Medical) course on an aspect of his mouse-pox model.”

The two men were protégés of the legendary Australian virologist Sir Frank Macfarlane ‘Mac’ Burnett, both later working together at the World Health Organisation combating small pox and developing immunisation programs.

“Frank Fenner was a highly distinguished scientist, as well as having great awareness of the growing imbalance between human activity and the needs of natural systems,” said Ian Lowe, Emeritus Professor at Griffith University, Queensland.

“He pioneered environmental studies at ANU as the first director of its research centre. The Fenner Conferences have regularly brought together leading thinkers to grapple with the complex environmental issues of our time. Frank will be greatly missed, but the work of the centre and the deliberations of the Fenner conferences will form an enduring legacy.”

Professor Suzanne Garland, Professor at the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health and lead researcher at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne recalled: “Frank Fenner was an inspiration to us all working in the field of virology. Frank was very modest, had an amazing mind, continuing with his expertise, and sage thoughts well after his ‘retirement’.”