P001333 revised AU-VU:EOAS Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation

All key entry types: Awards; Concepts; Corporate Bodies (Organisations); Cultural Artefacts; People; etc

These key entries are listed separately below with other indexes and lists.

 English AACR2 Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules Person created 1993-10-20 human Gavan McCarthy; Ken McInnes updated 2026-01-15 human https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P001333b.htm person Law Phillip Garth AC CBE FAA FTSE FRSV AACR2 21 April 1912 28 February 2010 Place of Birth Tallangatta, Victoria, Australia Place of Death Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Antarctic explorer Physicist Phillip Law was Director, Antarctic Division, Department of External Affairs and Leader of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions 1949-1966 and founded the Mawson, Davis and Casey bases in Antarctica. He was chairman of the Australian Academy of Science, National Committee on Antarctic Research from 1966 until 1980, and was President of the Royal Society of Victoria 1967-1968. His distinguished contributions to Antarctic exploration, science research and education were recognised many times over his lifetime through a large number of awards, including appointment as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1960, and Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 1995. Many places in Antarctica are named in his honour including Law Dome; Law Promontory and related Law Island; Law Landing; and Law Plateau.

Other awards include:
* Hon.DEd, Victorian Institute of Colleges;
* Hon.DSc, LaTrobe University;
* Hon.FRMIT, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology;
* Fellow, Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science (FANZAAS);
* Fellow, Australian Institute of Physics.

1939 1939 Education - Bachelor of Science (BSc), University of Melbourne 1941 1941 Education - Master of Science (MSc), University of Melbourne c. 1941 c. 1945 Career position - Assistant Secretary and later Acting Secretary, Optical Munitions Panel 1943 1948 Career position - Lecturer in physics, University of Melbourne 1949 1966 Career position - Leader of many Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) 1949 1966 Career position - Director, Antarctic Division, Department of External Affairs 1953 1953 Award - Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1956 1956 Award - Award of Merit, Professional Officers Association 1959 1959 Award - Clive Lord Memorial Medal, Royal Society of Tasmania 1959 1977 Career position - Member of Council, University of Melbourne 1960 1960 Award - Founder's Gold Medal, Royal Geographical Society, London 1960 2010 Award - Honorary Life Member, Institute of Australian Geographers 31 Dec 1960 31 Dec 1960 Award - Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) - Director, Antarctic Division, External Affairs Department 1962 1962 Award - Doctor of Applied Science (DAppSc), honoris causa, University of Melbourne 1962 1962 Award - John Lewis Gold Medal, Royal Geographical Society of Australia 4 Oct 1962 4 Oct 1962 Lecture - Presented lecture 'Resources of Australian Antarctica' at "Horizons in science" conference, Melbourne 1964 1974 Career position - Member of Council, LaTrobe University 1964 1981 Career position - Member, Victorian Committee, Duke of Edinburgh Award 1966 1977 Career position - Executive vice-president, Victoria Institute of Colleges 1966 1980 Career position - Chairman, National Committee for Antarctic Research, Australian Academy of Science 1967 1968 Career position - President, Royal Society of Victoria 1968 1968 Career position - Chairman, Committee on Marine Science, Royal Society of Victoria 1968 1983 Career position - Member of Council, Science Museum of Victoria 1971 1977 Career position - President, Graduate Union of Melbourne University 1975 1987 Award - Foundation Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences (FTS) 9 Jun 1975 9 Jun 1975 Award - Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) - for service to science particularly in the field of Antarctic exploration and research and to education 1977 1980 Career position - President, Victorian Institute of Marine Sciences 1978 2010 Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Science (FAA) 1979 1982 Career position - Deputy President of Council, Science Museum of Victoria 1987 1987 Award - James Cook Medal, Royal Society of New South Wales 1987 2010 Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE) [Foundation Fellow AATS 1975] 1988 1988 Award - Gold Medal, Australian Geographic Society 1995 2010 Award - Fellow, Royal Society of Victoria (FRSV) [One of first four Fellows elected, known then as the 'Foundation Fellows'] 26 Jan 1995 26 Jan 1995 Award - Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) - for service to science particularly in the field of Antarctic exploration and research and to education 1996 1996 Award - Polar Medal [presented in 1996, awarded in the 1960s] 1 Jan 2001 1 Jan 2001 Award - Centenary Medal - for service to Australia in Antarctic research and in the administration of tertiary education 2001 2001 Award - Clunies Ross Lifetime Achievement Award, Ian Clunies Ross Memorial Foundation James Cook Medal, Royal Society of New South Wales (1954 - )

Awarded the Medal 1987

 Clive Lord Memorial Medal, Royal Society of Tasmania (1930 - )

Awarded the Medal 1959

 Royal Society of Victoria (1859 - )

Fellow 1992 - 2010; President 1967 - 1968

 Australian Academy of Science (1954 - )

Fellow 1978 - 2010

 Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (1987 - )

Fellow 1987 - 2010 [Foundation Fellow AATS 1975]

 Australian Academy of Technological Sciences (1975 - 1987)

Foundation Fellow 1975 - 1987

 Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE), Antarctic Division (1947 - )

Leader of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions 1949-1966. Founder of Mawson, Davis and Casey bases in Antarctica.

 Antarctic Division, Commonwealth of Australia (1949 - )

Director, 1949 - 1966

 Science Museum of Victoria (1971 - 1983)

Member of Council 1968 - 1983; Deputy President 1979 - 1982.

 Optical Munitions Panel (1940 - 1945)

Assistant Secretary and later Acting Secretary, Optical Munitions Panel c1941 - c1945.

 Clunies Ross Lifetime Achievement Award, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (1999 - )

Received the Award from the Ian Clunies Ross Memorial Foundation 2001

 Horizons in Science, Professional Officers Association (1962)

Presented lecture 'Resources of Australian Antarctica'

 Professional Officers Association, Commonwealth Public Service (1917 - 1975)

Received Award of Merit 1956

 Institute of Australian Geographers (1959 - )

Honorary Life Member 1960 - 2010

Wikidata

VIAF - Virtual International Authority File

 Law, P G

Trove

 'Law, Phillip Garth', in Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation, Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology Law, Phillip Garth Swinburne University of Technology, Centre for Transformative Innovation Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Resource Section: Law, Phillip Garth - Ms 123 Law, Phillip Garth - Ms 123 Australian Academy of Science 1994 Listing of Adolph Basser Library holdings Book: The Silence Calling Bowden, Tim The Silence Calling Sydney Allen and Unwin 1997 Resource Section: Primary description of person CP 186; Phillip Garth Law Primary description of person CP 186; Phillip Garth Law National Archives of Australia 2000 RecordSearch Book: Phillip Law: the Antarctic Exploration years, 1954-66 Ralston, Kathleen Phillip Law: the Antarctic Exploration years, 1954-66 Canberra AusInfo, Department of Finance and Administration 1998 Journal Article: Phillip Garth Law: Explorer and Scientist Anderson, Fay Phillip Garth Law: Explorer and Scientist 1998 Australasian Science 19 2 56 Book: A Man for Antarctica: the Early Life of Phillip Law Ralston, Kathleen A Man for Antarctica: the Early Life of Phillip Law South Melbourne Hyland House 1993 Journal Article: 150 Years, 150 Stories: Phillip Garth Law Flesch, Juliet and McPhee, Peter 150 Years, 150 Stories: Phillip Garth Law 2003 Uni News 12 11 4 Resource: The Academy's Fellows [including profiles and other relevant links] Australian Academy of Science The Academy's Fellows [including profiles and other relevant links] Canberra Australian Academy of Science 2019 Resource: Honorary degree holders University of Melbourne Honorary degree holders University of Melbourne 2023 Resource Section: Law, Phillip Garth Law, Phillip Garth Australian Science Archives Project 1997 The Giant's Eye: the Optical Munitions Exhibition A Bright Sparcs Exhibition Book: Australia and the Antarctic. John Murtagh Macrossan Memorial Lecture Law, Phillip Australia and the Antarctic. John Murtagh Macrossan Memorial Lecture Brisbane University of Queensland Press 1962 Journal Article: The Mawson story - no. 3: Antarctic triumphs to remember Law, Phillip The Mawson story - no. 3: Antarctic triumphs to remember 1986 Royal Historical Society of Victoria Journal 57 3 14-24 Journal Article: Geography in the Antarctic Law, P. Geography in the Antarctic 1967 Australian geographer 10 3 145-59 Journal Article: The Mawson Story - No 1: 'a Powerful, Stubborn and Gentle Man' Law, Phillip The Mawson Story - No 1: 'a Powerful, Stubborn and Gentle Man' 1986 Royal Historical Society of Victoria Journal 57 1 3-13 Book: Antarctic Odyssey Law, Phillip Antarctic Odyssey Melbourne Heinemann Australia 1983 Book: The Antarctic Voyage of HMAS Wyatt Earp Law, Phillip The Antarctic Voyage of HMAS Wyatt Earp Sydney Allen & Unwin 1995 Book: ANARE: Australia's Antarctic Outposts Law, Phillip; and Bechervaise, John ANARE: Australia's Antarctic Outposts Melbourne Oxford University Press 1957 Journal Article: The Mawson Story - Part 2: Hungry and Alone in the Antarctic Law, Phillip The Mawson Story - Part 2: Hungry and Alone in the Antarctic 1986 Royal Historical Society of Victoria Journal 57 2 13-18 Newspaper Article: A great explorer who left Australia's footprint in Antarctica [Obituary: Dr Phillip Law, Antarctic explorer, educationalist] Law, Peter A great explorer who left Australia's footprint in Antarctica [Obituary: Dr Phillip Law, Antarctic explorer, educationalist] 2010 The Age 14 Journal Article: Phil Law Anon Phil Law 2010 Newsletter, Australian Academy of Science 80 18 Journal Article: A tribute to Dr Phillip Garth Law AC CBE FAA FTSE FRSV Zillman, J. W. A tribute to Dr Phillip Garth Law AC CBE FAA FTSE FRSV 2007 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria, New Series 119 2 xiv-xvii Resource: Phillip Garth Law Guide to Records Morgan, Helen, McCarthy, Gavan; Manhal, Oscar Phillip Garth Law Guide to Records Melbourne Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre 1999 Journal Article: Phillip Garth Law 1912-2010 Quilty, Patrick G.; and Lugg, Desmond J. Phillip Garth Law 1912-2010 2013 Historical Records of Australian Science 24 1 134-59 Journal Article: Obituary: Phillip Garth Law Bowden, Tim Obituary: Phillip Garth Law 2010 Polar Record 46 383-4 Resource Section: Interview with Dr Phillip Law (1912-2010), antarctic explorer Swan, John Interview with Dr Phillip Law (1912-2010), antarctic explorer Australian Academy of Science 2002 Interviews with Australian scientists Journal Article: The 95th Birthday of Dr Phillip Garth Law McAuley, William J. M.; and others The 95th Birthday of Dr Phillip Garth Law 2007 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 110 2 xxxiii-xlv Journal Article: Phillip Garth Law AC, CBE 1912-2010 Lugg, Desmond Phillip Garth Law AC, CBE 1912-2010 2010 Australian Antarctic Magazine 18 22-4 Book: Dr Phillip Garth Law: his extraordinary life and times as told to Ian Toohill Toohill, Ian Dr Phillip Garth Law: his extraordinary life and times as told to Ian Toohill Melbourne Royal Societies of Australia and Ian Toohill 2009 Journal Article: Dr Phillip Garth Law AC CBE, 21 April 1912-28 February 2010 McAuley, W. J. W. Dr Phillip Garth Law AC CBE, 21 April 1912-28 February 2010 2011 Geographical Journal 177 92-3 Book: The records of Phillip Garth Law (1912 - ) Manhal, Oscar and McCarthy, Gavan The records of Phillip Garth Law (1912 - ) Parkville, Vic. Australian Science Archives Project 1989 Journal Article: Albert Lloyd George Rees 1916-1989 Walsh, A.; and Willis, J. B. Albert Lloyd George Rees 1916-1989 1992 Historical Records of Australian Science 9 1 31-47 Edited Book: Education, Antarctica, marine science and Australia's future: proceedings of the Phillip Law 80th Birthday Symposium, 23 April 1992 Mentha, Janet L.; and Watson, Graeme F. Education, Antarctica, marine science and Australia's future: proceedings of the Phillip Law 80th Birthday Symposium, 23 April 1992 Melbourne Royal Society of Victoria 1992 Journal Article: Optical Instruments in Australia in the 1939-45 War: successes and lost opportunities Bolton, H. C. Optical Instruments in Australia in the 1939-45 War: successes and lost opportunities Melbourne Australian Science Archives Project 1990 Bright Sparcs Exhibition Papers Resource: Science and the making of Victoria Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre Science and the making of Victoria 2001 Book: 150 years, 150 stories: brief biographies of one hundred and fifty remarkable people associated with the University of Melbourne Flesch, Juliet and McPhee, Peter 150 years, 150 stories: brief biographies of one hundred and fifty remarkable people associated with the University of Melbourne Melbourne Department of History, University of Melbourne 2003 Journal Article: Leonard George Holden Huxley 1902-1988 Crompton, R. W. Leonard George Holden Huxley 1902-1988 1991 Historical Records of Australian Science 8 4 249-264 Book: Going to extremes: Project Blizzard and Australia's Antarctic heritage Chester, Jonathan Going to extremes: Project Blizzard and Australia's Antarctic heritage Sydney: Auckland Doubleday Australia 1986 Book: South by Northwest: the Magnetic Crusade and the Contest for Antarctica Mawer, Granville Allen South by Northwest: the Magnetic Crusade and the Contest for Antarctica Kent Town Wakefield Press 2006 Edited Book: Who's who in Australia 1983 Draper, W.J. Who's who in Australia 1983 24th Melbourne, Victoria Herald and Weekly Times Ltd 1983 Edited Book: Who's who in Australia 1998 Who's who in Australia 1998 XXXIV Melbourne Information Australia Group 1998 Journal Article: Leslie Harold Martin 1900-1983 Caro, D. E.; Martin, R. L. Leslie Harold Martin 1900-1983 1987 Historical Records of Australian Science 7 1 97-107 Audio of interview with P.G. Law Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre, University of Melbourne Audio of interview with P.G. Law P001333 4 September 1985 2 Tape Audio Phillip Garth Law - Records National Library of Australia Oral History Collection Phillip Garth Law - Records TRC 351 1975 Oral history interview covering the period c1940-1970s. Interview conducted by Lennard Bickel. Phillip Garth Law - Records The University of Melbourne Archives Phillip Garth Law - Records 1940 - 1990 Cassette tapes of reminiscences of his work for the Optical Munitions Panel, 1940-45, as recorded by H.C. Bolton; minutes of the Scientific Instruments and Optical Panel from 1st meeting 23 July 1940 to 32nd meeting 6 November 1945; copy of "History of Scientific Instruments and Optical Panel" by J.S. Rogers (Ministry of Munitions, Ordnance Production Directorate, 1946). Audio Phillip Garth Law - Records National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection Phillip Garth Law - Records MS 9458 1940 - 1980 A large collection of personal records including: personal and biographical material 1932-1987 (6 boxes); diaries of his voyages 1947-1966; small diaries and pocket diaries for overseas trips 1944-1983; lectures, talks and broadcasts 1940s-1983 (8 boxes); manuscripts for books and articles 1940s-1980s (4 boxes); Antarctic correspondence 1948-1986 (8 boxes); general correspondence 1941-1987 (8 boxes); Anatarctic photographs 1947-1987; family and general photographs 1914-1987; institutional photographs 1941-1980; scrapbooks and scrapbook material 1947-1987; audio tapes 1970-1988. A detailed guide to the collection is available from the Australian Science Archives Project. 14.6 m, 78 boxes, 7 folio boxes Artwork, Audio, Photographs Phillip Garth Law - Records Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science Phillip Garth Law - Records MS 123 1966 - 1977 Chairman's files for the Australian Academy of Science's National Committee for Antarctic Research 1966-77; files and circulars from SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, International Council of Scientific Unions) 1966-76; correspondence concerning matters raised during the VI Consultative Meeting of the Antarctic Treaty Powers 1970 [37 cm, MS 123]. 0.37 m, 2 boxes Oral Collection Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science Oral Collection MS 057 1931 - 2003 Collection of audio and film recordings, in various formats. Includes recordings of Australian Academy of Science Annual General Meetings; recordings of lectures, symposiums and addresses; and recordings relating to Antarctica. 0.48 m, 3 boxes Audio, Film Phillip Garth Law in Antarctica Phillip Garth Law in Antarctica All rights reserved.

Include in Gallery

 Law, Phillip Garth Portrait Law, Phillip Garth Portrait Royal Society of Victoria Presidential Portrait