Welcome to my monthly newsletter to those with an interest in physics around Australia.

I will present the Bragg Gold Medal for Excellence in Physics and the AIP Award for Outstanding Service to Physics in Australia to Christian Rosberg and Hans Bachor, respectively, in Canberra on 29 October.

NSW is planning two major events in November: the Physics in Industry Day on 19 November, which this year showcases medical physics; and a big day on 24 November with postgraduate awards, the AGM, a guest lecture by the AIP’s Marc Duldig and the annual dinner.

And the International Year of Astronomy is still going strong with public lectures, the Great World Wide Star Count, sidewalk astronomy, photographic exhibitions, film and theatre.

Details of these events below.

Nominations for the AIP Women in Physics Lecturer close this month, and nominations open for the Kavli Prizes. One is awarded in each of astrophysics, nanoscience and neuroscience, and the recipient receives $US1 million.

I am also calling for expressions of interest for a new editor for the AIP journal, Australian Physics. Details below.

Also, in the Jobs and Scholarships section we have information on PhD scholarships in Quantitative Marine Science as well as a number of opportunities in the Bureau of Meteorology.

The bulletin has grown over the last few years. This issue is over 5,000 words. Over the next few weeks we’ll be thinking about the best ways to develop it – perhaps, for example, by splitting it into two bulletins, one on events, another with other news, or by making better use of weblinks. I’d welcome your thoughts on how useful you find the bulletin.

Please also encourage others to subscribe to the bulletin. It is freely available to members and non-members. Non-members can subscribe via the AIP website. I’d also encourage you to pass it on to non-members who are interested in physics.

If you want to contact me regarding AIP or other physics matters please email aip_president@aip.org.au.

Click this link for the full newsletter: http://www.scienceinpublic.com/blog/bulletins/aip-presidents-blog/physics-october-2009

Kind regards,

Brian James,

AIP President