Carter

Dr Gary Carter, of Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, was presented with a BH Neumann Award at the Quay West Hotel, Brisbane, on Friday 12 August, 2011.

Receiving his award, Gary is with Peter Taylor, AMT Executive Director.

Citation

Gary was born in Mackay where both his parents were school teachers. As such they were posted in various places and Gary attended four different primary schools, ending at Manly State School where his father was head teacher, and going on to Wynnum State High School.

In primary school he says mathematics, or as it was arithmetic, was not his strong suit, preferring English and Social Studies. However once he was exposed to algebra and geometry there was a rather dramatic change in priorities and Gary became engrossed in simplifying, solving, rationalising and proving and then he was hooked.

For some reason though, when he obtained a scholarship to study at the University of Queensland, he assumed he would become an industrial chemist. Despite passing the mathematics units, chemistry did not meet his expectations and he decided to switch to a teacher training course.

His first appointment was at Tambo, a town of approximately 500 people, between Charleville and Barcaldine, at a school with just 29 students in years 8 to 10. Gary stayed in this pleasant country atmosphere for two years until transferred to Cleveland State High School in 1975, where there were up to 1500 students.

Gary spent 17 years there teaching mathematics and science and while there commenced tertiary study at the University of Queensland, where this had become possible, and he was able to focus on mathematics.

He first completed a Bachelor of Science and then enrolled in a Masters by coursework, which he completed in 1983, with Neil Williams as one of his lecturers.

He then successfully applied for a position at the Queensland Institute of Technology, where he was until recent retirement.

Gary completed a PhD in Cryptology in 2000 and went on to supervise other students in the subject.

He started his involvement with AMOC activities in 1997 when Neil Williams invited him to mark some work of Queensland students in the program, and when Neil retired in 2000 Gary took over the work as Queensland State Director.

Gary has recently passed on this job to Victor Scharaschkin, after more than 10 years’ service.

During the time I have worked with Gary his commitment and dedication to teaching young talented students has been significant. Together with this nothing has been too difficult for him. He has always pitched in to help Graham Meiklejohn with Australian Mathematics Competition work, such as helping with the award ceremony at Kelvin Grove, arranging guest speakers, etc, and helping the Trust generally, for example by freely helping run our stands at QAMT Conferences, even if this meant absence from home.

So Gary, whereas I wish to thank you for this, it doesn’t take away from the fact that you have earned this award and to be listed with a number of other Queenslanders, several of whom are here tonight, in the honour roll.

Congratulations!

Peter Taylor

Friday 12 August 2011

Gary with family, from left nephews Phillip and Lachlan, wife Alina, Peter Taylor and brother Trevor.