University celebrates its 70th anniversary of computing, with Pearcey Awards
The 70th anniversary of computing at the University of Melbourne has been jointly celebrated with Australia’s renowned computing awards organisation, the Pearcey Foundation, who presented their National Awards at the event.
Since it established one of the world’s first computing teaching departments, the University has contributed seven decades of innovation, research excellence, teaching and partnership across academia, government and industry in this sector.
Mr Danny Pearson, Victorian Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, and Minister for Finance, and Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Wesley were among almost 200 guests at the Melbourne Connect event, which also featured an exhibition of computing achievements at the University.
Professor Uwe Aickelin, Head, School of Computing and Information Systems.
Professor Uwe Aickelin, Head of the School of Computing and Information Systems (CIS), said the University has enjoyed a long relationship with the Pearcey Foundation, established in memory of Dr Trevor Pearcey.
“Dr Pearcey played a pivotal role in the development of computing at our University, particularly through the design and relocation of Australia’s first digital computer, CSIRAC, to our University in 1955,” Professor Aickelin said.
“Our two organisations are united in our goals to shape Australia’s contribution to the ICT sector, to recognise and support excellence, and to equip the next generation of ICT leaders to ensure the computing technologies that shape society are reliable, transparent and aligned with human values.”
Among many milestones, the University established Australia’s first TCP/IP internet connection in 1989, linking to the University of Hawaii, and became the first Australian University in 2017 to join the IBM Q Network, a collaboration of Fortune 500 companies, academic institutions and national research labs exploring quantum applications for business and science.
Professor Justin Zobel, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Graduate & International Research) and former Head of the School of Computing and Information Systems.
Pearcey Foundation Chair, Wayne Fitzsimmons OAM, said the Foundation was delighted to share in the 70th anniversary celebrations.
“Australia's achievements in ICT over the past 70 years are only possible thanks to the leadership and innovation of our scientists and engineers – a group that the Pearcey Foundation has recognised and celebrated since 1998. Many of these luminaries have passed through CIS, one of Australia’s top teaching departments in this field, which continues to attract the best and brightest academics, educators and students from around the world," Mr Fitzsimmons said.
Pearcey Foundation Chair, Wayne Fitzsimmons OAM, Pearcy Medallist Wi-Fi pioneer Professor David Skellern AO and Jordan Green AM, Chairman – Pearcey Foundation Victoria Committee.
Amongst the award highlights, Wi-Fi pioneer Professor David Skellern AO, an electronics engineer and computer scientist, credited with leading important technology innovations, was awarded the 2025 Pearcey Medal.
Dr Cathy Foley AO, who was Australia’s Chief Scientist from January 2021 until December 2024 and has had a long career at CSIRO, was inducted into the Pearcey Hall of Fame. Sam Kroonenburg, the co-founder and co-CEO of Cuttable, founding partner of Glitch Capital and co-founder and CEO of A Cloud Guru (now part of Pluralsight), received the National Entrepreneur Award.
Read more about 70 years of computing at the University here.
Dr Robert Walton, former Artist in Residence (CIS) highlights the artwork he created for Melbourne Connect, "The Heart".
All photos, courtesy Casamento Photography.