In summary: I retired at the end of 2017 after 42 years' postgraduate experience in the minerals sector. Approximately half of my career was spent in universities and industrial research organisations and the remainder in industry (see "Experience" section below). I am a former Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (retired 2020) and of the Institution of Engineers Australia (retired 2019). I remain a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy (The AusIMM) where I held several roles including Non-Executive Director (2000 to 2008) and President (2006). The AusIMM also granted me the Sir Willis Connolly Medal in 2008, the Beryl Jacka Award in 2008 and the President's Award in 2018, for which I am most grateful. I am currently enjoying a VERY low-key second career as a writer.