OBITUARY

John Hooke died on 28/10/2018.

John Hooke CBE FTSE, businessman, philanthropist and an outstanding advocate for science and nanotechnology has died aged 85. He screened the first television broadcast in Australia and supported physics research at the University of Sydney.

Mr Hooke graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Physics, and then a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) with first class honours and the University Medal. His gift to the University in 2011 helped establish the University of Sydney Nano Institute.

He was elected a Fellow of the Academy in 1983.

He recognised the revolutionary potential of nanoscience. Sydney Nano's work includes a project to ease drought by capturing water from the atmosphere, while another involves creating tiny robots that could enter the human body to diagnose and treat disease.

As a young man working for Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia), also known as AWA, Mr Hooke screened from the back of an old Arnott's van the first experimental television broadcast in Australia in 1954.

He joined AWA after university and was involved in the production of the first transistors. He rose through the company to become chairman and chief executive in 1974, succeeding his father, Sir Lionel Hooke. He was on the board of companies including BHP, AMP, National Australia Bank and Channel Ten. He was chairman of Tubemakers of Australia.

Mr Hooke was involved in manufacturing policy issues and was chairman of the Defence Industry Committee. In 1979 he was made CBE for his service to industry.

He believed strongly in the need for the commercialisation of innovative technology and was always ready to encourage and support new Australian technology businesses. He worked with the founders of Appen - now one of Australia's major technology enterprises - and was a foundation investor when the company listed on the ASX in 2015.

In his later years he served as council member and deputy president of the Science Foundation for Physics, as foundation board member of the Brain and Mind Centre, and as board member of the University of Sydney's philanthropic campaign, Inspired.

John Hooke died on 28 October 2018 aged 85.