Scotch College

Ian Porter's 'exemplary Scotch Spirit earns Perelberg Award'

At the Year 12 Presentation Night in the Memorial Hall on 19 October, Old Boy Ian Porter (’74) was named as a most worthy Perelberg Award winner for 2006. Ian’s proud family – his wife Liz, daughter Jodie, and sons James (’03) and Richard (’06) – were on hand to see him receive the award.

Ian, the recipient of many awards for his work, was so overwhelmed that he said: ‘This award means more to me than any other award that I have been fortunate enough to receive. To be recognised by my School and the Scotch Family is such an honour’ In a nice twist, the Porter and Perelberg families later met for dinner, and it became apparent that Ashley Perelberg was studying Agricultural Science at Melbourne University, and had a particular interest in the environment when he died.

The following is a transcript of the Principal’s address at the Presentation Night:

‘The Perelberg Award is named in honour of Ashley Perelberg, a member of the class of 1992, who was renowned for his wonderful enthusiasm for life, but who died tragically and suddenly while training during his first year at university. His family endowed this award, presented annually to a member of the Scotch Community who demonstrates exemplary Scotch Spirit and, in the case of Old Boys, has contributed to the welfare of the community or significantly advanced the knowledge of mankind. The award goes in alternate years to a student of the school or to a former student. This year’s nominees are former students, and I wish to thank those who provided nominations. I am delighted to name the recipient and ask him to come forward: Dr Ian Porter.

‘Ian Porter (1969–74) had a splendid Scotch career, excelling academically, playing in the premiership-winning First XVIII, representing Scotch in the World Junior Rowing Championships in 1973 and stroking the First Crew in 1974. He continued his sporting interests beyond school:

Rowing for Mercantile, Victoria. (winning the Penrith Cup) and gaining representation in Lightweight Eights for Australia in 1977 and 1978 (winning two World Championship bronze medals)

Football – for Old Scotch as a player; for many years a contributor to community and club football, and of course a proud dad as his sons, James and Richard, have each played for our Firsts team. He took great pleasure in our First XVIII’s success this year, of course, with his son Richard as a member of the team.

‘In his professional life Ian Porter gained first-class honours in Agricultural Science at Melbourne University, and later gained a PhD through research into the use of solar energy and other non-chemical means to control soil-borne diseases. As Statewide Leader of Plant Pathology Research in the Department of Primary Industries, Ian and his research teams have identified several important ways to control soil-borne diseases and improve crop yields.

‘Around 1985 under the Vienna Convention to Protect the Ozone Layer, the world had become very concerned about an element of the global environment. Our atmosphere has a layer of ozone (molecular structure O3) which protects us from very damaging solar radiation. Holes in this layer over the North and South Poles were identified, and evidence emerged of increasing incidences of related diseases, especially skin cancers and particularly in southern Australia.

‘In 1985 the United Nations Environment Program set out to reverse this problem, which was known to be caused by several damaging man-made chemicals that had other valuable uses, but which destroyed atmospheric ozone. Methyl bromide is one of these. It is particularly effective (it was widely used) as a soil pesticide, but is up to 60 times more destructive of ozone than the more widely known CFCs that were used in refrigeration and are now banned.

‘Ian Porter started working on this problem and became Chair of the UN Committee dealing with it, seeking ways to phase out the use of methyl bromide by 2005 (for developed countries), while identifying alternative disease control strategies. The biggest challenge was for developing countries, where the removal of methyl bromide could spell significant economic distress. Not everyone sees their national interests aligned with protecting the ozone layer, yet he persisted to find ways for China and other nations to make good progress in this quest. Ian Porter has therefore become a world leader in environment protection initiatives.

‘Ian was selected for the Williamson Community Leadership Victoria Program and graduated as a Williamson Fellow in 2002. In 2003, Ian and his team received the Daniel McAlpine Award for the methyl bromide research and its phase-out, which was achieved with active industry support. He has also received, as an individual, the Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

‘We acknowledge tonight an Old Scotch Collegian whose work and influence are of global importance. He is passionate about his research, and is impressively committed to it through the United Nations, which makes huge demands on his time and involves much hard work and overseas travel. We all should be grateful for the success of his scientific achievements, which have certainly made our world a safer place to live in.

‘On top of this he is a man whose commitment to his family, his friends and his local community interests are very widely admired. We can but agree with his nominators that Ian Porter does truly display exemplary Scotch Spirit, as we ask him to accept the 2006 Perelberg Award.’

In conversation later, Ian added that ’ The Montreal Protocol is the most successful environmental Protocol ever and it is working. The emissions of ozone-depleting substances, like methyl bromide, have been greatly reduced and the overall level of these substances in the atmosphere is now in decline – it appears likely that the ozone layer will start to recover over the next decade and hopefully the harmful effects of UV radiation on people and the environment will decline soon after. This is important because the Montreal Protocol, and the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, are closely linked and people have the ability to make a difference.’

Tim Shearer
Executive Director, OSCA