Emeritus Professor Terry Fitzgerald Wall

Terry Wall AM is undoubtedly Australia’s foremost authority in the area of energy and coal research and the associated environmental issues. The work Terry has undertaken during the past 50 years has made a lasting contribution to the way in which the world uses coal as  an energy source now and in the future.

After completing his Chemical Engineering degree at RMIT, Terry moved to Newcastle University in the late 1960’s to complete a PhD on coal combustion. After completing his Doctorate, Terry lived and worked at various universities around the world before returning to Newcastle University in the mid 70s where he has worked since.

An elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, the list of international awards recognising his work is truly impressive, including awards from the US Engineering Foundation, the US Iron and Steel Society, and the Australian Institute of Energy.

Terry was the first Australian to win the prestigious Percy Nicholls Award for notable Scientific or Practical Contributions in the Field of Solid Fuels – an award he accepted in Florida.

In 2001 Terry was made a member of the Order of Australia for service to the coal industry as a researcher in the coal sciences, particularly in the technical areas related to coal combustion, and to education.

Terry has claimed that professionally his greatest pride derives from helping more than 50 students complete their PhDs.

There is another side to Terry worth noting. In the 1960s, Terry was Victoria’s top surfer. He chose to move to Newcastle so he could live by the beach! Terry was Australia’s first AND second Iron Man, winning the  James Wall Trophy named after his father. He was the winner of the inaugural Bells Beach surfing title in 1962, and Victorian Board Riding Champion in 1963 and 1966. Terry has also been the surf journalist for the Sun and an occasional fashion model.