Scotch College

Professor Colin Norman

Perelberg Award ad astra - Professor Colin Norman

Following the special tradition established through the generosity of the Perelberg family in 1993, the Principal announced the winner of the 2002 Perelberg Award on Speech Night.

This award for 'exemplary Scotch spirit' is presented to one who brings honour to the school and service to the community.

The award was established to commemorate the life of Ashley Perelberg, a member of the Class of '92, who was just 18 years old when he died in 1993, suffering a massive heart attack while training for the triathlon event.

Ashley was an easy going, yet totally dependable young man who willingly participated in all aspects of Scotch life.

He exemplified what many would regard as the 'true Scotch spirit': striving for personal excellence, whilst simultaneously recognising and serving the needs of others; applying high standards to himself, yet showing compassion to those who could not reach those same standards.

His family endowed an award, bearing Ashley's name, which is perpetually on display within the school's library. Its form is inspired by the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island, recognising Ashley's particular love of Scotch at Cowes. Awards are made alternately to a present student or to an Old Boy. Previous recipients of this prestigious award are:

1993 Sam Hume
1994 Hugh Taylor
1995 Teruma Naito
1996 Ian Stapleton
1997 Andrew Sim
1998 Rob Moodie
1999 Paul Greening
2000 David Penington
2001 Nicholas Dimiris

This year nominations were received for a number of Old Boys. The criteria included that the recipient should have:

• made a significant contribution to their profession
• contributed to the physical, moral, spiritual or actual welfare of their community
• significantly advanced the knowledge of mankind
• committed an act of bravery
• catalysed positive change

The Principal was delighted to announce that the Perelberg Award recipient for 2002 is Professor Colin Norman - who, happily, was Guest of Honour at Speech Night.

Colin Norman was born in Melbourne and attended Scotch from 1953 to 1965.

He studied Engineering at Melbourne University before being awarded a Rhodes Scholarship which took him to Oxford University, where he was persuaded to abandon nuclear physics (the science of the smallest parts of our world) in favour of astronomy - the largest picture: he obtained a Doctorate of Philosophy in Theoretical Physics from Oxford.

His career saw him undertake research at a number of universities including Leiden - an ancient and revered European university - Cambridge, the University of Paris and the European Southern Observatory. He now is Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA, and he is also the Astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute.

Early in 2001, Colin gained international recognition when his observations confirmed the discovery of a new-born quasar near the edge of the observable universe.

His theoretical work had predicted such bodies although it was not accepted widely until confirmed by observation - a wonderful example of the world of experimental and theoretical science at work.

Pictured L to R: Dr Harry Perelberg, Professor Colin Norman and the Principal on Speech Night.

Quasars are extremely bright sources of radiation in the universe. They are thought to be powered by giant black holes that feed on the stars, gas and dust surrounding them.

The existence of this type of quasar will remain a topic of keen interest to astronomers for many years to come. Colin's discovery will certainly play a significant part in putting together the massive jigsaw puzzle that is the nature of our universe.

As if this is not sufficient, Colin Norman's name is also firmly fixed to the most remarkable advance in astronomical observation - from 1991-1995 he was the Director of the Hubble Telescope Program. This amazing observatory was deployed in space, orbiting the earth and examining the universe free from the obscuring effects of the earth's atmosphere. This is certainly the most complex and powerful observatory available to us and the images of our wonderful and complex universe are of stunning complexity.

There was a huge disappointment when Hubble was first deployed - it was found to have defects in construction that meant the images it sent were distorted and did not give the hoped for clarity. Scientists worked out how this could be repaired; a Space Shuttle flight could carry out corrective surgery - in space of course - and at colossal additional expense. US $1 billion was needed. Colin Norman had the task of persuading the US Senate to approve an additional US $1 billion! He did succeed. Hubble was corrected and huge advances in our knowledge of our universe have resulted, including Colin's discovery of the new type of quasar mentioned earlier.

Colin's enthusiasm for learning is infectious - he has a joy and passion in his quest for knowledge. One measure of his influence may be that a Google search of the internet using key words "Colin Norman Astronomy" produced 5,220 results!

During Colin's sabbatical leave, he is spending six months at the University of Melbourne; his son is attending the Junior School and his daughters are at PLC. His contribution to Science, Astronomy and the body of knowledge known to mankind makes him a truly worthy recipient of the 2003 Perelberg Award.

Alan Watkinson