THE thrill of nuclear research and a belief in its benefits for humankind will never leave John Boldeman of Cronulla.
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Professor Boldeman's research at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) at Lucas Heights has involved many areas, from medical research to developing nuclear safeguards.
In recognition of his life's work, Professor Boldeman, 77, has been made an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to nuclear science and technology, particularly through the design and construction of the Australian Synchrotron particle accelerator, and as a mentor to young scientists.
Professor Boldeman studied at Queensland University and came to Sydney to join ANSTO, then called the Australian Atomic Energy Commission, in 1960, initially working with the new HIFAR (Hi Flux Australian Reactor) studying nuclear fission.
After becoming a doctor of science in 1984 at the University of NSW he switched to working on nuclear safeguards.
"Basically, this was equipment to check that nuclear material was not being diverted, and also included checking for plutonium in nuclear waste," Professor Boldeman said.
He lobbied for a new particle accelerator at ANSTO, and because of funding constraints was able to get the organisation to buy a second-hand one from the US for $250,000 in 1988, where a new one would have cost about $10 million.
After lobbying for many years, he finally got funding to build the Australian Synchrotron in Clayton, Victoria.
"The thing I am most proud of is that I kept promoting the need for a synchrotron in Australia," he said.
"Other people were convinced that it was impossible to do this in Australia," he said.
"Fortunately I had a team of brilliant people who supported me including my wife who has stuck with me for 49 years."
The synchrotron opened in 2007 and about 15 per cent of all Australian science now utilises it. Uses include medical research, environmental sciences, agriculture, minerals exploration, engineering and forensics.
Professor Boldeman and his wife Janice have lived in Cronulla since 1972. They have four sons and two grandchildren.
As well as his extensive research, he believes in keeping physically fit. Since 1981 he has trained every day lifting weights at the gym at Gunnamatta Park.
"If you're not training now you should be; it adds so much to your life," he said.
Since 2001 Professor Boldeman has been hoping to build a different type of synchrotron to treat cancer with particle therapy.
"This concentrates particles on the the tumour precisely without damaging the surrounding tissue.
"Each year there are 8000 people in Australia who would benefit from it and there are about 600 people in Australia who have no other option at all.
"One machine can only do 1500 patients each year."
