RSWA Medal


The RSWA Medal is an award from the Royal Society of Western Australia, established to honour outstanding work and achievement in science relative to Western Australia.
In 1924, the Royal Society of Western Australia decided to commemorate the centenary of the birth of William Thomson, Lord Kelvin. The event was marked by the creation of the Gold Medal of the Royal Society. The award was established to honour outstanding work and achievement in science relative to Western Australia. Miss Enid Isabel Allum, of 7 Richardson Street West Perth was commissioned to design the medal for £5-5-0 honorarium. Miss Allum was a member of the Royal Society of Western Australia, and had previously been Treasurer and Social Committee member. The Royal Mint at Perth commissioned the firm of Messrs. Stokes & Co, of Melbourne to produce the dye for the medal. In 1924, the inaugural medal was presented to Dr. William John Hancock. The first three medals were struck in gold in 1924, 1929, and 1933, and ever since the medals have been struck in silver. It is also known as the Kelvin Gold Medal.
In 2013, the RSWA Medal was renamed the RSWA Forrest Medal in honour of Sir John Forrest.

Recipients of Kelvin Gold Medal

YearNameRefAffiliationField of Study
1924William John HancockPerth Public Hospitalradiography; medical application of x-rays.
1929E S Simpsonmineralogy and geology of WA.
1933W M Carneplant pathology; the bitter pill of apples.
1937Andrew Gibb MaitlandPilbara survey and artesian water supplies.
1941Edward de Courcy Clarkegeology of WA.
1945L Glauertnatural sciences.
1949Charles A. GardnerRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kewbotany, the flora of WA.
1955Harold William Bennettsveterinary science; live stock diseases.
1959E J Underwoodanimal nutrition and husbandry.
1966Clee Francis Howard Jenkinsagricultural entomology and natural history.
1970R T Pridergeology, petrology and mineralogy.
1979Ronald Murray Berndtanthropology; aboriginal studies.
1979B J Grievebotany; ecophysiology and the flora of WA.
1979Dominic Louis Serventyzoology; ornithology and nature conservation.
1983John Stanley Beard botany; vegetation classification and mapping.
1986C A Parkersoil biology.
1995Albert Russell Mainzoology; ecology and nature conservation.
1997Ernest Pease Hodgkinestuarine studies.
1997Arthur James McCombplant growth and ecology.
2001Phillip E. Playfordgeology and history of early Dutch exploration
2005David I Groveseconomic geology
2005Kenneth J McNamarapalaeontology
2010Sidney Donald Bradshawecophysiology