A eulogy to Simon-Peter Kolibac by Prof. Cameron Kepert.

As both a friend and a colleague, and as Simon-Peter’s Honours supervisor in the School of Chemistry at the University of Sydney, I would like to say just a few brief words about his academic achievements.

Simon-Peter, or SP as he was affectionately known, was both an excellent student and a very close friend of many within the School. He was one of very few people who are brave enough and, let me say, bright enough to take on our Chemistry double major, a degree that is renowned for its gruelling laboratory program. Not only did Simon-Peter persevere through this course, he excelled, in particular in the laboratory. Looking back, just this morning, through some of the written assessments of his work, the words “excellent” and “outstanding” came up again and again – his abilities particularly shone through in the one-on-one interactions.

It is every supervisor’s and research group’s dream to be approached by a clever and inspired 3rd year student asking if they can do Honours with them, and that is how we felt when Simon-Peter approached us at the end of 2004. He was very keen to perform research that will make a difference, and even though I hadn’t advertised a project in the area, he asked if he could research into materials that store hydrogen gas, an important future form of clean energy. Aware of his abilities in the lab, I didn’t hesitate to grant him this wish and to develop with him an entirely new research project. He had made some outstanding advances and discoveries in this important area before his untimely death, and his passing will be a great loss to the productivity of the School. His research will make a difference, as he would have wished, and we will make sure he is remembered for it, both in the local and the international scientific communities.

SP was an intensely private person and, as we have heard, humble despite his brilliance. He was never anything other than a delight to be around, especially for his mischievous spirit and sense of humour. He will be greatly missed within the School, but warmly remembered both for his moments of brilliance and for his friendship.

Peter, Rita, Nicole, Matthew, Nicola, Giusepina and Marta, let me say on behalf of all those at the University who knew Simon-Peter that it was an honour to have known your son, your brother, your grandson, and that our hearts and prayers are with you.