Alex George
2025 - Today
Photograph courtesy of Andrew McRobb, Kew photographer.
A prolific author, Alex has published 17 books as sole or lead author, and has contributed hundreds of articles to journals and newsletters. His distinguished career has earned him numerous accolades, and we are proud to add the Kew Guild Medal to that list.
Among Alex's honours are:
- Honorary Doctor of Science from Murdoch University, 2009
- Member of the Order of Australia (Queen’s Birthday Honours, 2012)
- Recipient of the Nancy Burbidge Medal from the Australian Systematic Botany Society (2004)
- Australian Botanical Liaison Officer at Kew in 1968 and again in 2004-5.
Alex received the Kew Guild Medal at the 2025 AGM in recognition of his outstanding service and lifelong dedication to botanical science.
Upon receiving the Kew Guild Medal, Alex said:
"In accepting the Medal today I am particularly touched that The Kew Guild has chosen to honour me in this way. I joined the Guild in 1969, after my first term as Australian Botanical Liaison Officer at Kew.
I still remember my first day at Kew in December 1967, entering the Herbarium through the old entrance in Hunter House with a sense of excitement and anticipation. In a way, these emotions have scarcely lessened, since there is always the expectation of discovery among the collections. Kew has come to mean so many things for me – the place, its collections living and archival, its history, and, most importantly, its people.
I see this award reflecting the world-wide reach of the Guild. While I come from a distant corner of Australia, that corner is renowned for the extraordinary richness of its flora. Many of its (and other) Australian plants have become known throughout the world – indeed some of its eucalypts dominate this building on its western side. My work has reflected the criteria for the medal – systematics, horticulture, conservation and (through publications and talks) education.
For many years the Journal kept me informed about who was who and what was happening. I joined the Committee in 2003, giving me an understanding how the Guild worked, and then in 2010 was nominated for President. Although somewhat uncertain how this would work as an overseas member, I was supported by a hard-working committee, including Vice-President Mike Wilkinson who chaired meetings on my behalf. I was able to come over at the start and end of my term, as well as for the Annual Dinner.
I have continued my close association especially by assisting with proofreading and indexing the Journal, exercises that, with modern communication, can be done readily from abroad. Over the years I have enjoyed hosting a few members who have visited Western Australia.
My work and writing have constantly referred to Kew and its resources. My latest book The Australian Botanical Liaison Officer scheme at Kew, 1937–2009 is both a historical record of the scheme but also a celebration of the institution.
My heartfelt thanks to the Guild for this award."