Australian Biography Series - Phillip Law (Study Guide)

Synopsis

Phillip Law showed early academic ability and at the age of sixteen became a teacher. He loved skiing and mountaineering and became fascinated by Antarctica. In 1947 he was appointed Senior Scientific Officer on Australia's first post-war Antarctic expedition. In 1949 he became Director of the Australian Antarctic Division. Law was Director of the Division until his retirement in 1966. During that period he established the Mawson, Davis and Casey stations and led numerous voyages to explore the coast of the Australian Antarctic Territory. After his retirement, Law occupied a variety of other positions, among them Chairman of the Australian National Committee on Antarctic Research, and Council Member of the University of Melbourne. He is the author of several books including Antarctic Odyssey. For his pioneering work Law has received numerous awards including the Founder's Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society, London and the Gold Medal of the Australian Geographic Society. In 1995 he was awarded the Companion in the Order of Australia.

Curriculum Links

This program will have interest and relevance for teachers and students at middle to senior secondary and tertiary levels. Curriculum links include SOSE/HSIE, Science, English, Environmental Studies and Australian History.