Professor Peter Høj has been appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer at the Australian Research Council (ARC) effective from 1 October 2004.
Peter Høj commenced at the AWRI in November 1997, and from this time implemented a cross-disciplinary approach to strategic research and development. During his tenure, the AWRI was recognised with the receipt of the Maurice O’Shea Award in 2002 for its contribution to the Australian wine industry. Peter had a strong involvement in the establishment of the National Wine Industry Research Cluster (now known as Provisor) through the grant awarded from the Major National Research Facilities scheme, for which he was a shared recipient of the SA Great Award (2002). He was also awarded the Centenary Medal in 2003 for his service through wine research and science.
During his AWRI tenure, Peter has gained extensive experience as a member of various industry, science and research committees, including the Steering Committee for the McGauchie Review in 2003 on collaboration between universities and publicly funded research agencies, and the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council.
A full press release from the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson MP dated 22 June 2004 is attached.
Peter’s last day at the AWRI is Friday, 27 August 2004, after which he will have a good holiday.
The AWRI’s Chairman and Council have already commenced the process of filling the vacancy that Peter’s new appointment has created.