Vardaro

Peter Taylor, Executive Director of the Australian Mathematics Trust, Giovanna Vardaro and Professor Bernhard Neumann, after Giovanna was presented with her award by Professor Neumann in Adelaide, 23 February 1996.

Citation

Giovanna Vardaro is an outstanding example of a Bernhard Neumann Award recipient. For example, she

• has been the State Director (for South Australia) of the Australian Mathematics Competition since 1985. This involves a lot of coordination work, dealing with problems within the state, checking the credentials of the leading scorers and liaison with the Australian Mathematical Olympiad Committee.
• has, since its inception, been a member of the committee for the Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians, including its Enrichment Program. This committee is meeting here and involves a great degree of work constructing and refining problems outside of committee meetings and then through several weekend meetings each year.
• has provided an outstanding inspiration and role-model as a teachers. This has been recognised elsewhere, e.g. the 1994 Satisfac Teacher Excellence Award as an outstanding teacher in South Australia.
• has presented a number of papers at national and international conferences, both in Australia and overseas, on mathematical education.
• as a member of the committee of MASA, has prepared student newsletters and organised maths activities such as the Jubilee 150 Maths Trail and Student Workshops.

I have a particular interest in this presentation. My grandmother was an early student at Giovanna's school when it was known as Methodist Ladies College. In 1904 she won the school prize for Maths (Algebra and Euclid) which I have here tonight. She also won other prizes, including German.

I now have pleasure in handing over to Bernhard to present this Award.

Peter Taylor

23 February 1996