David Paget being presented with his award by Professor Neumann in Hobart, 06 February 1997.

David with Leone and Professor BH Neumann, after receiving his BH Neumann Award.

Citation

Tonight's award, to David Paget, honours a very unique contribution to the enrichment of mathematical education in Australia.

He was the mainstay of the Olympiads in Tasmania and State Director for 8 years, 1988 to 1995.

He worked on many fronts tapping emerging talents throughout Tasmania. To a large extent this was single-handed, without him there would have been no Tasmanian activity or representation.

He ran the Friday night groups, arranging for students in the north of the state access. He looked after all the student needs, including pastoral needs, often handling problems via parents. He even helped put on the student's ties (when they were not used to the culture).

He developed a very strong group. Hobart on two occasions had the strongest Australian or New Zealand score in the International Mathematics Tournament of Towns. Two members of these groups, including one from a remote location 80km west of Launceston, gained Australian selection at IMO, winning silver medals.

David was also active promoting mathematics in general, organising camps for a wide number of students and obtaining sponsorship.

David soon became active on the national scene. In 1990 he became AMOC Director of Training, a position he held for six years. He developed and professionalised the position to the point at which it became one of AMOC's three substantive senior positions. He followed on a personal basis the fortunes of the elite students throughout Australia and coordinating their attendance at training schools.

He was Deputy Leader of the Australian Team in 1990 and Team Leader in 1991, through to 1995.

He also took on administrative roles in the Trust, becoming an alternative member of the Trust's Board and a Director of AMTOS Pty Limited, the company which administers the Trust's activities.

There are many areas in which David has contributed to mathematics outside the Trust and on which I cannot comment so well.

But I would like to conclude (and I have just attended the Australian Applied Mathematics Conference in Victoria) that mathematicians throughout Australia have admired David's singular courage and strength in fighting off two serious diseases during 1996.

David has three strengths which have served him well, a supporting family and colleagues, a strong faith and a physical toughness no doubt honed by his earlier years as a first grade rugby player (I believe he was even born near Twickenham). We wish him well in continuing this battle and being able to focus again on his career at the University of Tasmania.

Peter Taylor
06 February 1997