Inaugural University of Queensland Frank White Memorial Lecture

On 28 September, University of Queensland alumni, staff, industry partners, and friends gathered at the UQ St Lucia Campus to honour the legacy of the late Professor Frank T.M. White, a pivotal figure in mineral science and engineering. 

This inaugural event celebrated academia, innovation, and White's enduring impact, with attendees enjoying an engaging keynote lecture from Professor White’s son, Dr Franklin White. Author of “Miner with a Heart of Gold” (posting of 21 September 2020), Franklin grew up talking geology, mining, metallurgy, and educational development over the dining room table. During his medical and public health studies in Australia, Canada and the UK, he worked summers in industry-related posts, and has followed the field with a special interest in its historical development. Now an Adjunct Professor with Dalhousie University, he has held two endowed chairs, several senior operational posts, and for a recent 15-year period ran his own international consulting firm. He is recipient of a Breakthrough Award for Creativity from the Academy for Educational Development, and a Medal of Honor from the World Health Organization regional office for the Americas.

During the mid-20th century, mineral science and engineering educator Professor Frank T.M. White played an influential role in his field, respected for his knowledge, experience, and advocacy, including related issues such as its health, safety and social impacts. He looked at mining and metallurgy though a wider lens than was common during his time, embracing the need to promote diversity and sustainability. His son Franklin's address traced his contributions, from Australia’s goldfields, to the Fiji department of mines, to mining rehabilitation in post-War Malaya, then as Founding Professor of mining and metallurgical engineering at UQ. While he went on from UQ to rejuvenate mining engineering and applied geophysics at McGill University, it was at UQ where “his heart and soul” found greatest expression, especially the UQ Experimental Mine, which became the platform for JKMRC, and in his inspirational role in establishing International House. 

Dr. Franklin White (left) and his father Prof. Frank White

Applying his father's life as a framework, Franklin, a UQ alum, addressed the challenges of a first mover, issues of specialisation and the role of generalists, the essence of leadership, human development and environmental concerns, the stigma surrounding extractive industries, and the compelling need to respond. A video of the 40 minute lecture and ensuing discussion is available.

In the audience was Joe Pease, Principal Consultant for Mineralis, and a keynote speaker at MEI's Comminution '16, who said: 

"My thanks to all involved in arranging this event.  It is a long time since I have so thoroughly enjoyed a talk. I think any engineer would be engrossed by the topic and agree with the sentiments. We would only wish that we could compose a script so beautifully, deliver it so eloquently, and field difficult questions with such poise and grace…

Engineers will enjoy hearing this; but I think it is much more than that.  It portrays the role of engineering in society in a touching way that is accessible to, and acceptable to, wider society. These messages, delivered in this style, would enrich public discussion…

Please pass on my thanks to all involved in arranging this session.  I expected it would be good, but it far exceeded my expectations.   I will be thinking about it for a long time."