Congratulations to our Managing Director, Tania Notaras for being the winner, late last year, of the Weickhardt Medal for Distinguished Contribution to Economic Advancement.

The Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) announced in November 2018 that Tania was the recipient for this prestigious award.

The Weickhardt Medal is awarded to Tania in recognition of her contribution to science and chemistry sector.

Tania has over 28 years of practical experience in science, which extends to the analysis of contamination in the environment; hazardous materials; petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals.

In 2005, Tania founded Envirolab Services in Sydney, which has since expanded into a network of laboratories and offices in Australia and New Zealand, including Envirolab Services in Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin and Brisbane; MPL Laboratories in Perth; and LABTEC in Auckland.

Tania strives to give back to the profession and education by supporting the career development of her staff and offering industry placements for students. Tania is a mentor of women in industry, supports various student development programs and sponsors technical and professional meetings. Tania was Telstra Business Women's Award Finalist in 2008 and appointed as a 2009 Women in Business Mentor, while also holding membership of the exclusive Executive Connection (TEC) since 2010.

She has assisted in the implementation of industry standards and offering advice on regulations, and recognition through industry award nominations. Tania actively and voluntarily undertakes senior leadership roles in Institute affairs. This is illustrated by her 2015 -2017 successful nomination to the RACI NSW Branch as President-Elect and election to the RACI Board as an Ordinary Board Member. In 2017, Tania took over as President of the RACI NSW Branch. Some of her key areas of focus have since included ensuring a smooth operation of the branch, enhancing membership value and increasing the number of memberships to include scientists in commercial laboratories and in the industry as well as academics.

As an active member in the Australian chemistry community, Tania is also a NATA Technical Assessor, IANZ Technical Expert and is a UNSW Senior Adjunct Lecturer.

About the Weickhardt Medal

The Weickhardt Medal for Distinguished Contribution to Economic Advancement is awarded to a member of the RACI who has contributed significantly towards the economic advancement of the Australian economy a through work in a chemistry discipline.

Commemorating the life and work of chemist and business executive Leonard William Weickhardt, the Award is made every year to a full member of the RACI by a judging committee composed of the President, Past President, President-Elect, and most recent awardee.