Vale Dr Roy Woodall AO FAusIMM
AusIMM expresses its sincere condolences to the family, friends and many colleagues of Dr Roy Woodall AO FAusIMM, who passed away on February 14 2021, aged 90.
Dr Woodall’s remarkable career as a geologist has seen him rightly recognised by peers and industry worldwide as a legend of the Australian resources sector.
Exploration successes included a number of significant deposits, including the Kambalda nickel field (1966), uranium at Yeelirrie (1971), the Olympic Dam copper-gold-uranium deposit (1975), the St Ives gold field (1980), the East Spar oil-condensate field (1993), plus contributions to many others.
Dr Woodall was also a leader and mentor to countless geoscientists, passing on knowledge and advancing the capability of the Australian resources sector.
He was an AusIMM member for 62 years. Dr Woodall was awarded AusIMM’s highest honour, the Institute Medal, in 1984 ‘in recognition of his success in the application of original geological concepts in exploration… and for his professional competence and outstanding leadership qualities.’
In 2020, the Australian Geoscience Council honoured Dr Woodall’s legacy with the launch of the Roy Woodall Medal. The Medal seeks to recognise scientific excellence in both mineral exploration and the documentation of world-class mineral deposits.
Dr Woodall was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1986 for service to the mining industry, and awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001 for service to Australian society and science.
A full obituary for Dr Woodall is available on the AusIMM Bulletin website.