HOw NALites started.
Three retired National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) staff, Bob Cook, Peter Peploe and Wal Phelps, who all share a common interest in photography, had been meeting on a regular basis since retiring.
They thought that it would be a great idea if they could arrange a lunch with other ex-NAL employees whom they had lost touch with since their retirement.
The first such “get-together” was held in early 2022 with a small group that Bob, and with the help of Peter Alway and others, had managed to contact.
This small get-together was such a success, that it was agreed that attempts should be made to contact as many ex-staff that they could and to hold another lunch in August 2022.
So, on 24th August 2022 a group of 21 people, either current or ex-employees of NAL met at Nth Ryde RSL following an invitation from Bob Cook. The idea was to have a reunion lunch, renew old acquaintances and to reminisce over the “good old days”
It certainly worked! Reunions have since been held in 2023 and again in 2024.
NAL – A Brief History
The Commonwealth Acoustic Laboratories were established in January 1947. The Laboratories carried out investigations on hearing aids and other related hearing issues. In 1973 the Laboratories underwent a change of name, becoming the National Acoustic Laboratories. Again in July 1992 the name was changed to Australian Hearing Services, and later to Hearing Australia.
The research division has retained the N.A.L name to distinguish its research from the hearing services offered by Hearing Australia.
To read Joan Cordell’s April 1979 internal report on the “Early History of National Acoustic Laboratories” click httpswww.nal_.gov_.auwp-contentuploadssites2201608NAL-Early-History
THE ULTRASONICS INSTITUTE.
The Ultrasonics Institute and its precursor, the Ultrasonics Research section of the National Acoustic Laboratories played an internationally recognised role in the development of medical uses of ultrasound, commencing in 1959. In October, 1988 the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology (WFUMB) and the American Institute for Ultrasound in Medicine (AlUM) in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institute held a History of Medical Ultrasound Symposium in Washington DC. The work of the Institute received prominence at the symposium, with 7 staff attending, and 4 on the program either speaking or chairing a session.
The Ultrasonics Research section, Commonwealth Acoustic Laboratories, was housed for the period 1963-1985 in the fourth floor of an old wool-store building in the picturesque “Rocks” area on the Sydney city waterfront. The building was built in 1895, of local hard-wood construction with brick facades. Street access was obtained from the western side of the building, while the eastern side gave access to the dock area. Subsequent land
reclamation has moved the water-front away from the building, and there is now an overseas passenger shipping terminal between the building and the water.
To read the full story follow this link, I think you might find it most interesting >> https://www.asum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/ui_history.pdf
Another link that you might like to have a look at https://www.asum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/handout.pdf
NALites 