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In 2024 Janet Clarke Hall announced the appointment
of three new College Fellows
Being appointed a Fellow is the highest honour JCH can bestow, recognising alumni who have
made significant contributions to their respective professional fields or to the College itself.
Dr Drew Berry with Universeum and the WISDOME project. This 8K
(1988) full-dome 3D experience takes audiences on a journey
into the unseen molecular world, revealing the intricate
biochemical processes that power all living organisms.
Janet Clarke Hall is proud to From mitochondria – the powerhouse of the cell – to
announce the appointment the firing networks of neurons that shape thought and
of Dr Drew Berry as a emotion, Chemistry of Life presents cutting-edge research
Fellow of the College. His through captivating, immersive storytelling. This Swedish
groundbreaking work in project, developed in partnership with the Norrköping
biomedical animation has Visualization Center C and supported by the Knut and Alice
revolutionised the way we Wallenberg Foundation, has set a new standard for science
understand the microscopic communication and education.
world, bringing science to life
through visual storytelling. Reflecting on his time at Janet Clarke Hall, Dr Berry explains,
‘I met my life partner (now wife) Melissa Kellam and all of
Dr Berry is a biomedical animator at the Walter and Eliza Hall my dearest friends at JCH, and we are all still going to gigs,
Institute of Medical Research, where he has worked since playing poker and drinking beer 35+ years later.’ His strong
1995. With a background in cell biology and microscopy connection to the College underscores the profound impact
from the University of Melbourne, he has dedicated his the College had on his personal and professional journey.
career to creating scientifically rigorous animations that
reveal the intricate processes of life at a molecular level. His When asked what message he would share with current JCH
work has been exhibited at prestigious institutions such as students, Dr Berry offers this advice: ‘If you care about what
the Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the you’re doing, you’re never wasting your time.’ His words
Royal Institute of Great Britain, and the University of Geneva. resonate deeply, reinforcing the value of passion, curiosity,
and dedication in shaping a meaningful career and life.
One of Dr Berry’s most prominent contributions is his role
in the creation of the Illuminarium, a stunning LED-light Dr Berry’s work bridges the gap between scientific discovery
installation that adorns the six-storey facade of the Walter and public engagement, making complex biological
and Eliza Hall Institute’s Parkville building. This visual processes accessible and awe-inspiring. His appointment
masterpiece showcases real scientific data, transforming as a Fellow of Janet Clarke Hall recognises not only his
complex research into a breathtaking public display of pioneering contributions to biomedical animation, but
discovery and innovation. As Dr Berry explains, ‘Data is also his role in inspiring future generations of scientists,
extraordinarily beautiful, and that’s what I essentially educators, and visual storytellers.
wanted to do with the Illuminarium: create a spectacle of Janet Clarke Hall is honoured to welcome Dr Drew Berry to
science.’
its esteemed fellowship. His work exemplifies the College’s
His most recent achievement is the completion of Chemistry commitment to intellectual excellence and the pursuit of
of Life, an ambitious ten-year project in collaboration knowledge for the greater good.
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Professor Anna and the stage play Welcome to Your New Life, which premiered
at the State Theatre Company of South Australia in 2023.
Photo credit: Pia Johnson Goldsworthy Beyond her contributions to performance and literature,
(2004)
Janet Clarke Hall is also Professor Goldsworthy has played a significant role in Australia’s
cultural landscape as a festival director, having led the Port Fairy
delighted to announce the Spring Music Festival, the Coriole Music Festival, and the Music
and Mountains Festival in New Zealand. Looking ahead to 2025,
appointment of Professor Anna
Goldsworthy as a Fellow of the she has a busy schedule of performances across Australia and
Europe with the Seraphim Trio and collaborations with renowned
College. A celebrated pianist,
writer, and festival director, artists such as Andrew Haveron and Teddy Tahu Rhodes.
Professor Goldsworthy is one of Reflecting on her time at Janet Clarke Hall, Professor
Australia’s most distinguished
artistic figures. As the Director of the Elder Conservatorium of Goldsworthy describes it as a ‘formative environment’ and ‘an
instant community of the like-minded, in a patch of Melbourne
Music at the University of Adelaide, she has shaped the future that is still my very favourite.’ During her tenure as the
of music education while continuing to perform and write at inaugural Kenneth Moore Memorial Music Scholar and Artist-
the highest level. in-Residence, she experienced many milestones, including the
birth of her first child and the writing of Piano Lessons, which
As a pianist, Professor Goldsworthy performs extensively was sparked by a chance meeting with publisher Chris Feik at a
throughout Australia and internationally, both as a soloist and JCH Literature Dinner.
as a founding member of the Seraphim Trio. Her recordings
include the ARIA-award-winning Thirteen Ways to Look at Professor Goldsworthy remains deeply connected to the College,
Birds for Decca, in collaboration with Paul Kelly, James Ledger, noting, ‘I am always delighted to return, and to see it flourishing
and Alice Keath, as well as Trio Through Time for ABC Classics. under the leadership of Eleanor Spencer-Regan.’ Of her election
In 2024, she delivered the Boyer Lecture for ABC radio and as a Fellow, she states, ‘It is a great honour, and a beautiful way to
television on the future of classical music, highlighting the remain connected to such an important community.’
enduring power of this art form in contemporary society.
Her advice to current JCH students is to ‘throw yourselves into
Professor Goldsworthy is also an acclaimed writer, having your studies but also take time to build friendships that will
been named Newcomer of the Year at the Australian Book likely last decades. Also, participate in activities you otherwise
Industry Awards for her debut memoir Piano Lessons, which might not be exposed to – you might just catch a new passion!’
has been published internationally. Her most recent novel,
Melting Moments, was released in 2020. She has also written for Janet Clarke Hall is immensely proud to welcome Professor
the stage, including the libretto for Graeme Koehne’s opera A Anna Goldsworthy as a Fellow, recognising her extraordinary
Christmas Carol, which premiered at Victorian Opera in 2022, contributions to music, literature, and the arts.
Ms Thenu Herath ‘Young Women to Watch in International Affairs’ by the
Young Australians in International Affairs (YAIA). The YAIA
(2016) is Australia’s largest national not-for-profit organisation
Janet Clarke Hall is also committed to engaging emerging leaders world-wide.
proud to announce that Thenu previously served as the CEO of Oaktree, one of
Thenu Herath has been
Australia’s largest youth-led development organisations,
appointed a Fellow of where she spearheaded initiatives to empower young
the College. A passionate people in advocating for social change. Her leadership has
advocate for global extended to roles with World Vision, Teach for Australia,
justice, human rights, and and as the first female host of the Australian Institute of
foreign policy, Thenu has International Affairs’ Dyason House Podcast. She has also
demonstrated exceptional been a Global Shaper at the World Economic Forum and a
leadership in advancing social change and empowering co-author of Australia’s first youth national security strategy.
young people.
A speaker, writer, and facilitator, Thenu has been awarded Reflecting on her time at JCH, Thenu highlights the College’s
the prestigious 2025 John Monash Scholarship from the role in shaping her perspectives and ambitions: ‘I am deeply
Victorian Government. Recognised as a diplomat in training, grateful to Janet Clarke Hall for providing me with a safe,
she will pursue a one-year Master of Public Policy at the supportive, and intellectually rich environment to grow
University of Oxford, focusing on how Australia can better and learn. The College played a pivotal role in shaping my
engage diaspora and Indigenous communities, women, understanding of how I want to contribute to the world, and
people with disabilities, and the LGBTIQA+ community in I’m honoured to continue that legacy as a Fellow.’
foreign policy and beyond.
Janet Clarke Hall is honoured to recognise Thenu Herath’s
Currently a Policy Officer at the Department of Foreign extraordinary contributions and welcomes her to the
Affairs and Trade, in 2022 Thenu was named one of the esteemed fellowship of the College.
Janet Clar ke Hall 35