Prof Hugh Colin Webster, Professor of Physics
Hugh Webster first joined the University in 1937 at a time when the Queensland Cancer Trust, the Brisbane South Coast Hospital Board and UQ agreed to develop some medical physics in Queensland, in particular to establish a facility for the generation and distribution of Radon used in the treatment of some forms of cancer. To this end the University created a new position of Lecturer in Biophysics, for which Webster was the successful applicant. He devoted his first few years to the construction of a Radon plant beneath the library at the Old Government House site. The generation of Radon to distribute to Queensland hospitals remained the responsibility of the Department of Physics’ scientists up until the 1970s. During World War II Webster worked in the Division of Radiophysics in Sydney and then as a member of the Scientific Liaison Team in London. He returned to UQ after the war and upon the death of Professor of Physics, Parnell, whilst in office, Webster was appointed in 1949 to succeed. During his time as Professor, experimental ionospheric physics became the main theme of the Department, and he was also involved in the building of a field station at the University farm at Moggill. | |
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During the 1960s Webster became heavily involved in general University affairs and in scientific administration throughout the country. He was a foundation councillor of the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering, served on the first Australian Research Grants Committee and was a member and chairman of the Radio Research Board. Professor Webster left UQ in 1970 to take up an appointment as Counsellor (Scientific) to the Australian Ambassador in Washington, and during his two years in that position he travelled extensively to scientific establishments throughout the US. On his return he retired to Bribie Island, close to the Radio Research Station he established there after the original one at Moggill had served its purpose. Listen to a 1979 interview with | |
