Doug Waterhouse facts for kids

Dr. Douglas Frew Waterhouse (born June 3, 1916 – died December 1, 2000) was a very important Australian scientist who studied insects. Scientists who study insects are called entomologists. He made a big difference in how people dealt with bugs, especially in Australia.

Waterhouse was the chief of the insect division at the CSIRO from 1960 to 1981. CSIRO is a major science organization in Australia. He is most famous for inventing the main ingredient in Aerogard, a popular Australian insect repellent that helps keep bugs away.

He also gave the green light to the Australian Dung Beetle Project (1965-1985). This project brought dung beetles to Australia. The idea was to use these beetles to help control the large number of flies. It was a risky decision because there was a chance the new beetles could become pests themselves or upset the natural balance. But the project was a huge success! It helped reduce the number of bush flies by 90%.

Early Life and Learning

Douglas Waterhouse was born in Sydney, Australia, in 1916. He grew up in a place called Eryldene in Gordon, a suburb of Sydney. This house is now looked after by a special group and is open for people to visit.

Douglas became interested in insects thanks to his uncle, Athol. His uncle would take him on trips to collect butterflies. This early interest helped him choose his career path. He went to school at Brisbane Church of England Grammar School.

He continued his studies at the University of Sydney. He earned his first science degree in 1937, a master's degree in 1938, and a higher science degree (DSc) in 1952.

Key Moments in His Career

Douglas Waterhouse had a long and impactful career. Here are some of his main achievements:

• In 1938, he started working as a research officer for the CSIRO's early version, the CSIR. He joined the Division of Economic Entomology.
• During World War II, he served as a Captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps. He continued his research work in the CSIR laboratories during this time.
• He became the Assistant Chief of the Division of Entomology at CSIRO in 1946. He then became the Chief of the division in 1960, a role he held until 1981. After that, he continued as an Honorary Research Fellow.
• From 1968 to 1990, he was the first Chairman of the Canberra College of Advanced Education.
• He also worked as a consultant for plant protection for the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research starting in 1983.
• He was the Secretary for Biological Sciences at the Australian Academy of Science from 1961 to 1966.
• He led the Australian Entomological Society as President from 1969 to 1972.
• In 1974, he was the President of the 14th International Congress of Entomology, a big meeting for insect scientists from all over the world.
• He was President of the International Bee Research Association from 1977 to 1978.
• From 1983, he was President of the ACT Branch of the National Trust of Australia.
• He became the first Chancellor of the University of Canberra from 1990 to 1992.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Waterhouse received many awards for his important work. These awards showed how much his contributions to science were valued:

• 1953: He won the David Syme Research Prize.
• 1954: He became a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.
• 1972: He was awarded the Mueller Medal.
• 1973: He received the Farrer Medal.
• 1979: He won the Adventures in Agricultural Science Award.
• 1983: He received the Medal of the International Congress of Plant Protection.
• 1983: He was named a Foreign Associate of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.
• 1988: He received the Australian Bicentennial Award for being the most outstanding living contributor to agriculture in New South Wales.