Top Oz honour for Perth man
Fred’s Australian recognition
A Perth man has been named in the Australian Honours List for 2018.
Dr Wilfred Alan Morrison, more commonly known to his friends as Fred, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for “significant services to the community”.
Fred, who grew up in the Cherrybank area of the city, has lived Down Under for a number of years, and received the prestigious accolade for developing and supporting international standards in the energy supply sector and in engineering.
After leaving Perth Academy, Fred went on to work in the foreign department of the General Accident Insurance company, where he met his future wife Elise Simpson.
Fred then went to study electrical and electronic engineering at the University of Edinburgh, and after graduating got a job in broadcasting. Over the next 14 years, he worked for the BBC, Granada Television and Associated Television.
His move to Australia came in 1974 when he was recruited as the foundation controller of programme services for the National Film, Television and Radio School.
Later he worked as first assistant secretary in the Australian Government’s communications department, undertaking responsibility for all Australian radio communications.
He moved into electricity and energy in 1990 when he joined ACT Electricity and Water as a general manager. He ended up holding a number of managerial positions at the firm before being made deputy chairman and managing director of Actew Energy Ltd.
He also became part of an industry group, which led to the Australian Government setting up a national electricity market, and chaired the committee for network electricity pricing. He sat on several national boards, including the Board of Standards Australia.
Old school friend Keith Smith said: “In 2007 he was nominated for the position of president of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), the world body representing the national standards bodies of 164 nations, a position never before held by Australia.
“He was elected as president elect
Fred Morrison receives his Australian Day honour in 2008 and as president in 2009 and 2010, also being elected as chairman of the World Standards Cooperation group for 2010.
“He was the first Australian ever to fill these highly influential and globally significant roles.”
Mr Smith added: “Dr Morrison has been recognised and praised for his work and achievements to which we are proud to add our own congratulations.”