Sir Gustav Nossal AC¹ CBE² is one of Australia’s most celebrated scientists, and a fitting namesake for a school that asks its students to embrace the challenge.

Born in Austria in 1931, Sir Gustav Nossal arrived in Australia as a child of eight and went on to become a world-leading immunologist whose research into antibody formation and immunological tolerance has shaped modern medicine.

He served as Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and Professor of Medical Biology at the University of Melbourne and has authored five books and more than 530 scientific articles across his distinguished career.

He was knighted in 1977, appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1989, and named Australian of the Year in 2000. Beyond his research, Sir Gustav devoted his career to public health, global vaccine access, and the development of future scientists — values that resonate deeply with Nossal High School’s commitment to academic excellence, community, and the pursuit of a better world.

In the video A message from Sir Gustav Nossal, Sir Gustav speaks personally about the values and vision he hopes will define our school community. The school was named in his honour in 2009, and his legacy continues to inspire every student who walks through our doors.

Find out more about the life-sized bronze statue commissioned and presented in 2023 as a community arts project honouring Sir Gustav Nossal – Sir Gustav Nossal Statue Unveiling.

¹ AC — Companion of the Order of Australia, the highest rank within the Order of Australia, awarded for extraordinary service to Australia or humanity at the highest level. ² CBE — Commander of the Order of the British Empire, a British honour awarded for significant contributions in a particular field.