In Memoriam: Dr Raymond Jonathan Lermit

Jonathan should be remembered as the original pioneer of OR applications in the New Zealand electricity sector, not just in demand forecasting, but optimisation and market issues, publishing in NZOR on using network flow models (first in 1977 then again in 1990), and optimal pricing (1983).

Subsequently he worked at Transpower and collaborated with colleagues at Massey, publishing extensively on topics related to biofuel developments. He was a friend, supervisor, and mentor to many who went on to establish national and international careers in the field of electricity sector optimisation and economics. He also served the Society long and well, as a Wellington Committee Member, National Council Member, Newsletter Editor, Vice-President, and President.

Noho ora mai, ORSNZ (posted on behalf of ORSNZ by Mike O’Sullivan with remembrance from Prof Grant Read)

In Memoriam: Dr Hugh Barr

We are sorry to report that Dr Hugh Barr died on 8 December 2021, aged 80 years. Hugh was a leading figure in the ORSNZ serving on Council for many years, as President between 1976-1980, and regularly wrote papers and presented at conferences. He studied at Auckland University and the University of Toronto.

He was OR section leader at the Applied Maths Division of the DSIR from 1968 to 1992 and then at Industrial Research Limited. The OR Section at AMD was one of the major OR groups in NZ during that time, attracting many top graduates from Canterbury and Auckland universities and further afield, who later became OR managers, consultants and academics.

Hugh led or contributed to many OR projects in diverse industries including energy, transport, meat, superannuation, and healthcare.  He had a high public profile, writing on many topics such as Comalco prices and NZED capacity in the early days, and after leaving IRL, continued as a private consultant dealing with many issues central to New Zealand’s prosperity and wellbeing. 

Outside work, Hugh’s real love was always tramping and skiing, which seemed to fill his every weekend. He was a life member of the Tararua Tramping Club and a leading conservation advocate within New Zealand.  He was President of the Federated Mountain Clubs from 1993 to 1995 and a member of the FMC Executive from 1976 to 1978, and again in 1991-1992, and often served as a spokesperson on outdoor adventure and conservation issues.  He also was politically active, as scientific advisor, lobbyist and as a local government and parliamentary candidate.

There is a memorial lunch being held for Hugh on September 6 in Wellington. Please email Prof Vicky Mabin at vicky DOT mabin AT vuw DOT ac DOT nz

Noho ora mai, ORSNZ (posted on behalf of ORSNZ by Mike O’Sullivan with remembrance from Prof Vicky Mabin and Bruce Benseman)

Extended Deadline: APORS 2022

Kia ora koutou,

There is an opportunity to submit abstracts for a dedicated session on operational research for public health emergencies. Selected abstracts will be supported by WHO/WHE/SEARO for oral presentations at the conference.

Details:

  1. Submission site: all abstracts must be sent to: Log in to EasyChair for APORS 2022. You will have to create an account and then follow the clear steps on the site.
  2. Deadline extended
    15 July 2022, 23.59 Manila time
  3. Abstracts format
    1. Abstracts should be in English, should not include mathematical notations, not exceed 500 words (the main text) and must contain the following:
      1. Paper/proposal title
      2. Author(s) name (s), affiliation, full mailing address, email address, with an indication of author(s) presenting the paper if accepted.
      3. One of the keywords must be “Public health emergencies”.
    2. Please see further details here: http://apors.org/13th-triennial-international-conference-of-the-association-of-asia-pacific-operational-research-societies-apors/

Noho ora mai, Mike (ORSNZ President)