MEDIA RELEASE

---

ACS Pays Tribute to Prominent Members

ACS Council Names Two Honorary Life Members and Elects Eight New Fellows

Friday 3 April 1998 - The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has recognised the outstanding contributions of two long-term Members with Honorary Life Memberships, while eight others have been elected as Fellows.

The announcements follow last weekend’s meeting of the ACS National Council, the Society’s peak decision-making body.

"Each of those recognised in these honours has been instrumental in advancing the cause of IT in Australia through their hard work and dedication," said ACS President, Prins Ralston.

"We salute their efforts."

Honorary Life Memberships are awarded to people who have made a vital contribution to the life and work of the Society, while the ACS elects as Fellows Members who have played a significant part in developing the IT industry in Australia.

NEW HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS

Tony Benson and Barry de Ferranti, both existing Fellows of the Society, have been named Honorary Life Members in tribute to their dedication and commitment to the ACS over a period spanning 35 years.

A founding member of the Society’s NSW Branch (1963), Tony Benson was the first editor and publisher of the NSW Computer Society Bulletin. He served as Chairman of the WA Branch in 1976-77 and as ACS National President in 1978-79, in addition to holding various other key positions within the Society.

Barry de Ferranti has also played an extremely active role in the life of the Society. A member of the original NSW Branch Council, he served as NSW Vice Chairman in 1967. He was the original convener of the ACS Careers and Training Committee and more recently held the Council-appointed position of Chair of the Disciplinary Committee, as well as serving as Returning Officer of the NSW Branch for the past three years.

NEW ACS FELLOWS

The ACS Council has awarded eight Members with the Grade of Fellow in recognition of their significant contributions over time to the Australian IT industry:

Emeritus Professor Athol Sprott Carrington has occupied numerous positions in Australian and international tertiary institutions throughout a long and distinguished academic career. A Fellow of many prestigious societies and institutes here and overseas, he has authored many books and papers about finance and information systems;

Dennis W Furini has operated at the forefront in developing real-time systems for order processing. A founding member of the Australian Institute of Share Analysts, he also served as Treasurer of the Australian "Share Guide" (IBM User Group) and has held various senior IT management positions;

Clifford B Mason was a co-developer of high speed research computer networks which were the forerunners of local area networks. The Founding President of "Share Guide" (IBM User Group), he made significant contributions to the use of computers in sport, particularly ski races;

Kevin J Morrisey has played a key role in the use of computers in Government, developing leading edge systems such as legal diagnostic software and software-based sales and marketing systems. A President of the international body of ASOCIO, he has held assignments with Austrade and advised the NSW Government on IT issues;

Thomas A Mulligan played a key role in developing leading edge banking systems during the 1970s and represented the South African Banks advising on the introduction of EFTPOS into that country. He has been a quality reviewer for the IT Masters course at UTS and also served on the Review Board for UTS’ Bachelor of Information Technology;

John A Peck has enjoyed a 40 year career beginning in the banking industry and then in the Commonwealth Public Service, where he developed trail-blazing computer systems. In recent years, he has been a successful consultant and adviser to Government on IT;

Robert C Poole developed software for the world’s first computerised telephone exchanges while working in Belgium during the early 1970s. As a senior Commonwealth public servant, he established IT Strategic Planning guidelines, initiated the Computer Security Advisory Group, and managed the implementation of STRATPLAN in the Department of Social Security; and

Associate Professor Roderick Sims has been a pioneer in the field of computer-based learning. He has published extensively in his chosen field and operates at the cutting edge of the application of technology in education in Australia.

This media release is located on the ACS Web site at

ENDS

Media Enquiries:

Prins Ralston, ACS President, Tel: (0411) 755 069, Email: p_ralston@ntu.edu.au

Caroline New, Caroline New PR, Tel: (02) 9980 8060 or (0411) 889 456, Email: cnew@acslink.net.au