MEDIA RELEASE
31 August 2007
For immediate release
ACIAR Country Manager pays tribute to pioneering plant pathologist
The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Country Manager in PNG, Dr Jacqui Wright, has paid tribute to leading Australian plant pathologist, Dr Dorothy Shaw MBE, who died recently.
Dr Wright said Dr Shaw played a critical role in developing plant pathology in PNG and was an inspirational figure for many people in both PNG and Australia.
Dr Shaw spent 21 years living and working in PNG during which time she helped to identify many of the diseases threatening important PNG crops. Her work is regarded as the foundation for much of the plant pathology work in PNG to this day.
Dr Wright said: “I met Dorothy when I was an undergraduate. She was such a shining light and a true role model for many people both here in PNG and also in Australia.
“Much of the important work ACIAR and others do in PNG in relation to plant disease is based on the excellent work which Dorothy did.
“Dorothy considered herself fortunate to work in PNG because of the opportunities it gave her to meet so many interesting people. PNG was also fortunate to have her.”
In the 1950s Dr Shaw worked with the PNG Department of Agriculture, Stock and Fisheries to set up the first Plant Pathology Section.
During her time in PNG she organised the plant disease list, correcting many of the early records. She also worked tirelessly to prevent serious diseases entering PNG which could threaten either food crops or commodities such as coffee and cocoa.
Dr Shaw worked hard to help the farmers to understand plant diseases and learnt Tok Pisin and Motu in order to communicate better with people in PNG.
She was a Scout Association member and Cubs Headquarters Commissioner in PNG and was awarded the Silver Acorn in 1969 for outstanding service to scouting. In 1970 she was appointed an MBE for public service and in 1975 received an Independence Medal from the PNG Government.
Dr Shaw was born on 26 April 1920 and passed away on 27 August 2007.
Media Inquiries: Dr Jacqui Wright, ACIAR Country Manager, T: 325 9333 ext 299