Badger Laboratories

Geoffrey Malcolm Badger (1916-2002) was Professor of Organic Chemistry and later Vice-Chancellor of the University (1967-1977).  He had a distinguished career; in recognition of these achievements he was awarded numerous honours and awards, including the W.D. Chapman Memorial Medal of the Institution of Engineers, the ANZAAS Medal for service to the advancement of science, Officer of the Order of Australia and the bestowal of a knighthood.

The Badger Building or rather the G.M. Badger Laboratories for organic chemistry were built in the 1950s to permanently accommodate organic chemistry (which had moved several times in the decades prior to this time).  Badger took a keen interest in the design of the Laboratories.  They are built of red brick with a slightly curved front.

However, it was not until 1985 that the Governor, Dame Roma Mitchell, officially named the Laboratories in his honour with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque (before this it was simply known as the Organic Chemistry Building).  The Laboratories underwent a major refurbishment and renovation in 1993 and were reopened on 4 August of that year.

Taken from University of Adelaide Archives Information Sheet No.16