Adjunct Professor Michael Gore has been recognised in the Australia Day Honours for a lifetime of work promoting science to young Australians.

Professor Gore has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his tireless work for the ANU National Centre for Public Awareness of Science, and for his role in founding both Questacon - the National Science Centre, and the Shell Questacon Science Circus program.

“I’m absolutely delighted, I’m over the moon,” said Professor Gore, who moved to Australia from Lancashire UK in 1962.

“To be honoured by one’s country of adoption is a double honour.”

Professor Gore is now literally double-honoured. He was awarded an AM in 1986 for services to science education

ANU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Young AO, congratulated Professor Gore on his award.

“Questacon and the Shell-Questacon Science Circus are among the most significant national outreach programs to come out of ANU,” Professor Young said.

“They have touched the lives of thousands of Australian children and no doubt inspired many to pursue careers in science. This recognition is greatly deserved.”

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Science Circus, a Masters degree in Science Communication which sees its students learning not only theory, but practical communication skills as well, by taking a travelling science exhibition and shows to all parts of Australia.

“The fact that the Circus has been running for 30 years fills me with pride. It’s without doubt the biggest travelling science program in the world,” Professor Gore said.

“Although I have been given the honour, over the years there have been literally thousands of people involved. This honour reflects on them as well.”

Questacon and the Science Circus have been a role model for a number of countries and for other science centres in Australia.

Professor Gore recently travelled to Pretoria in South Africa to advise on setting up a similar science communication program in South Africa.