{{Short description|Australian medical researcher (1922 – 2017)}} {{Use British English|date=August 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = [[The Honourable]] | name = Basil Hetzel | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AC}} <small>[[Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians|FRACP]] [[Royal College of Physicians|FRCP]]</small> | image = Basil Hetzel.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Dr Basil Hetzel at the University of South Australia Library, City East campus, 2011 | office = [[Governor of South Australia|Lieutenant-Governor of South Australia]] | term_start = 28 May 1992 | term_end = 18 April 2000 | predecessor = [[Condor Laucke]] | successor = [[Bruno Krumins]] | office1 = 2nd [[List of University of South Australia people#Chancellors|Chancellor of the University of South Australia]] | term_start1 = 1992 | term_end1 = 1998 | predecessor1 = John McDonald | successor1 = [[David Klingberg]] | birth_date = {{birth date|1922|6|13|df=y}} | birth_place = [[London]], England | death_date = {{death date and age|2017|2|4|1922|6|13|df=y}} | death_place = [[Adelaide]], [[South Australia]] | profession = Scientist <br>([[Medicine]], [[Epidemiology]]) | alma_mater = [[University of Adelaide]] }}
'''Basil Stuart Hetzel''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AC}} (13 June 1922 – 4 February 2017) was an Australian medical researcher who made a major contribution to combating [[iodine deficiency]], a major cause of [[goitre]] and [[cretinism]] worldwide.
==Early life and education== Hetzel was born in London to Elinor Hetzel (née Watt) and Kenneth Stuart Hetzel, an anaesthetist. Hetzel's parents were originally from South Australia but in London at the time while Kenneth worked at the [[University College Hospital]]. They returned to [[Adelaide]] in 1925. There he, along with his brother Peter (born 1924), was schooled at King's College and [[St Peter's College, Adelaide]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Hetzel |first=Basil |date=2005 |title=Chance and Commitment: Memoirs of a Medical Scientist |pages= 8, 12}}</ref>
Hetzel studied medicine at the [[University of Adelaide]] from 1940 to 1944. As a medical student, he was granted reserved occupation status during [[World War II]]. He later applied to join the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] as a medical officer but was denied on grounds of being unfit due to a long bout of pulmonary [[tuberculosis]] in 1945.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hetzel |first=Basil |date=2005 |title=Chance and Commitment: Memoirs of a Medical Scientist |pages= 19}}</ref>
He was a [[Fulbright Program|Fulbright Research Scholar]] in the 1950s which included an appointment at [[New York Hospital]]. In 1954, Hetzel and his family travelled to London where he undertook a Research Fellowship in the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism at [[St Thomas' Hospital]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Hetzel |first=Basil |date=2005 |title=Chance and Commitment: Memoirs of a Medical Scientist |pages= 50, 65}}</ref>
==Career== His first job after completing medical studies was as a Resident Medical Officer at [[Glenside Hospital (Adelaide)|Parkside Mental Hospital]] from 1946 to 1947. Upon completion of his Fulbright Scholar commitments, Hetzel was appointed as the first Michell Research Scholar at the [[University of Adelaide]], where he remained for three years. He then undertook the role of Reader in Medicine at the [[Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide]] before moving to [[Monash University]] as the Foundation Professor of Social and [[Preventive Medicine]]. In 2001, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital established the Basil Hetzel Institute for Medical Research in his honour.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hetzel |first=Basil |authorlink=Basil Hetzel |date=2005 |title=Chance and Commitment: Memoirs of a Medical Scientist |pages= 35, 74}}</ref>
In 1956, Hetzel became a founding member of the South Australian Mental Health Association,{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} and along with other members, went on to assist with the establishment of the crisis support service [[Lifeline (crisis support service)|Lifeline]] which still runs today.
He also held the position of first chief of the [[CSIRO]] Division of Human Nutrition. Hetzel was the Chancellor of the [[University of South Australia]] from 1992, shortly after its establishment, until 1998. In 2005, the building for health sciences at the university's City East campus was named the Basil Hetzel building and the campus library also has a Hetzel room which contains a collection of his research. Hetzel was Lieutenant Governor of South Australia from April 1992 to May 2000. He was chair of the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre from 1998 to 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://w3.unisa.edu.au/hawkecentre/patrons/Hetzel.asp |title=Hawke Centre Inaugural Chair and Patron, The Hon Dr Basil Hetzel AC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531015954/http://w3.unisa.edu.au/hawkecentre/patrons/Hetzel.asp |archive-date=31 May 2014 |df=dmy }}</ref>
===Research=== During the 1960s, Hetzel pioneered research in Papua New Guinea confirming the first definite link between [[iodine]] deficiency and significant brain damage in unborn children.{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}
In the 1980s, Hetzel, supported by the [[Australian Agency for International Development]], became an international advocate for iodine supplementation, which is now taken for granted with iodinated [[table salt]]. This was part of the stimulus for the creation of the [[Iodine Global Network]], then called the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD), which is funded by various government, non-government and community organisations including the United Nations, the [[Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition]], [[UNICEF]], the [[World Health Organization]], and the [[World Bank]]. The ICCIDD is considered the expert body regarding iodine deficiency disorders and they implement national programs for the prevention of iodine deficiency. As a result of their advocacy, many countries have now legislated that salt for human and animal consumption must be iodised.<ref>{{cite journal |url =https://www.who.int/bulletin/archives/80%285%29410.pdf?ua=1 |title = Eliminating iodine deficiency disorders – the role of the International Council in the global Partnership |last = Hetzel |first = Basil |journal = Bulletin of the World Health Organization |date = 2002 |volume = 80 |issue = 5 |pages = 410-3; discussion 413-7 |access-date= 2 June 2014 |pmid = 12077619 |pmc = 2567792 }} </ref> Much of this success has been attributed to Hetzel's "indefatigable dedication to elimination of iodine deficiency disorders."<ref>{{cite journal |url = http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2813%2960569-3/fulltext |title = Basil Hetzel: Vanquishing iodine deficiency disorders |last = Pincock |first = Stephen |volume = 381 |issue = 9868 |pages = 717 |publisher = The Lancet |date = 2 March 2013 |journal = Lancet |access-date= 2 June 2014 |pmid = 23472909 |doi = 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60569-3 |s2cid = 38120516 |url-access = subscription }}</ref> In 2010, the ICCIDD established a Basil Hetzel International Award for Communications for individuals who contribute to promoting awareness of iodine nutrition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iccidd.org/p142000256.html |title=ICCIDD Historical Milestones |publisher=Open Publishing |date=2014 |website=International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders |access-date=16 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606225719/http://www.iccidd.org/p142000256.html |archive-date=6 June 2014 |df=dmy }} </ref>
==Other activities== Hetzel gave the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]'s [[Boyer Lectures|Boyer Lecture]] in 1971, which he titled "Life and health in Australia".<ref name=slsa>{{cite web | title= History of the State Library of South Australia: Lecture rooms | website=LibGuides at [[State Library of South Australia]] | date=Jun 17, 2025 | url=https://guides.slsa.sa.gov.au/c.php?g=410288&p=2796233 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250513091230/https://guides.slsa.sa.gov.au/c.php?g=410288&p=2796233 | archive-date=13 May 2025 | url-status=live | access-date=7 October 2025}}</ref>
Hetzel and his second wife, Anne, were patrons of the [[State Library of South Australia]] Foundation from 2001 to 2003, a very important time for the library's fund-raising program, to fund its redevelopment.<ref name=slsa/>
==Personal life and death== Hetzel married Mary Helen Eyles in 1946. Together they had five children: Susan, Richard, Robert, Jay, and Elizabeth. Mary died of cancer in December 1980.<ref name=memoirs/>
In 1983 Hetzel married again, to Anne Fisher, the widow of the headmaster of [[Geelong Grammar School]], [[Charles Fisher (headmaster)|Charles Fisher]].<ref name=memoirs>{{cite book |last=Hetzel |first=Basil |date=2005 |title=Chance and Commitment: Memoirs of a Medical Scientist |pages=48, 73, 176, 179}}</ref><!---no need to publish children's YOBs, per [[WP:BLPPRIVACY]], etc.---> Anne Hetzel {{post-nominals|country=AUS|OAM}} grew up in [[Rhodesia]] and studied music at the [[Guildhall School of Music and Drama]] in [[London]]. She first married Charles Fisher, having six children with him. After moving from England to Rhodesia to Australia, she attended university and later worked as a teacher. Charles died in a car accident, and Anne went to work with Governor-General [[Sir Zelman Cowen]] and his wife in [[Canberra]], where she met Hetzel. She supported his work, including travelling with him, and during this time developed a love of art and textiles.<ref name=slsa/>
Hetzel was a member of [[Pilgrim Uniting Church]] in Adelaide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pilgrim.org.au/obituaries/Basil_Hetzel_obit.php|title=Pilgrim Uniting Church in the City - Basil Hetzel obituary|website=pilgrim.org.au|access-date=2020-04-16|archive-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405175213/https://www.pilgrim.org.au/obituaries/Basil_Hetzel_obit.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Hetzel died on 4 February 2017, aged 94.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pioneering scientist dead at 94|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/02/06/pioneering-scientist-dead-94|website=News|publisher=SBS|access-date=17 August 2017|language=en|agency=AAP|date=6 February 2017}}</ref>
==Recognition and honours== {{more citations needed section|date=October 2025}} * 1964: Eric Susman Prize, a prize for medical research presented by the [[Royal Australasian College of Physicians]]<ref>{{cite web | title=Eric Susman Prize | publisher=The Royal Australasian College of Physicians | date=16 June 2025 | url=https://www.racp.edu.au/foundation/our-recipients/prizes/college-and-congress | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250803023330/https://www.racp.edu.au/foundation/our-recipients/prizes/college-and-congress | archive-date=3 August 2025 | url-status=live | access-date=7 October 2025}}</ref> * 1989: [[Honorary title (academic)|Honorary professor]] at the [[Tianjin Medical University]] * 1990: [[Companion of the Order of Australia]]<ref name=":0">{{cite news|date=11 June 1990|title=The Queen's Birthday 1990 Honours|page=1|newspaper=[[Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. Special]]|issue=S141|location=Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article240730394|access-date=23 September 2020|via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> * 1993: Alwyn Smith Prize, [[Faculty of Public Health Medicine]], UK * 1997: [[Returned and Services League of Australia|RSL]] Anzac Peace Prize * 1999: [[Doctor of the University]], [[University of South Australia]], 1999 * 2001: Clinical Research Centre at the [[Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide|Queen Elizabeth Hospital]] named the Basil Hetzel Institute for Medical Research<ref>{{cite web | title=History | website=Basil Hetzel Institute | date=16 September 2020 | url=https://www.basilhetzelinstitute.com.au/about/history/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514142036/https://www.basilhetzelinstitute.com.au/about/history/ | archive-date=14 May 2025 | url-status=live | access-date=7 October 2025}}</ref> * 2004: [[National Trust of Australia|National Trust]] as a [[Australian Living Treasures|National Living Treasure]]<ref name=slsa/> * 2005: [[Adelaide Festival of Ideas]] dedicated to him<ref name=slsa/> * 2008: [[Prince Mahidol Award]] from King [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]] of [[Thailand]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/31/2150696.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719015251/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/31/2150696.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 July 2012 |first=Karen |last=Percy|title=Thai King honours Australian doctor|work=ABC News|date=31 January 2008|access-date=19 July 2012}}</ref> * 2009: [[Pollin Prize for Pediatric Research]]<ref>{{cite web |url = http://nyp.org/about/pollin-prize.html |title = Pollin Prize |year = 2009 |publisher = [[NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital]] |access-date = 19 July 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090618193840/http://nyp.org/about/pollin-prize.html |archive-date = 18 June 2009 |df = dmy-all}}</ref>
In 2000, following the completion of his term as lieutenant-governor, in an unusual break from convention, Hetzel was conferred the title '<nowiki/>''The Honourable''' by [[Elizabeth II]] on 20 July 2000 for his services.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=27 July 2000 |title=Gazette No 120/2000 |url=https://www.governmentgazette.sa.gov.au/2000/July/2000_120.pdf |journal=South Australian Government Gazette |issue=120 |pages=298}}</ref>
In 2006, the [[lecture theatre]] in the [[State Library of South Australia|State Library]]'s Institute Building was named [[Anne and Basil Hetzel Lecture Theatre]].<ref name=slsa/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://guides.library.unisa.edu.au/specialandarchivalcollections/hetzel Basil Hetzel Archival Collection at the University of South Australia] * [http://abcasiapacific.com/nexus/stories/s1064566.htm ABC Radio National ''Nexus'' In Person Interview with Dr Basil Hetzel 26 March 2004] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060104015640/http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/sa/content/2003/s974769.htm Profile on ABC TV Stateline SA 24 October 2003] * [http://www.china.org.cn/english/NM-e/69611.htm The Hetzel Family's Friendship with China] on www.china.org.cn * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070210145542/http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/treasureslist.html National Trust List of National Living Treasures]
{{s-start}} {{s-gov}} {{s-bef|before=[[Condor Laucke|Sir Condor Laucke]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Lieutenant-Governor of South Australia]] |years=1992–2000}} {{s-aft|after=[[Bruno Krumins]]}} {{s-end}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hetzel, Basil}} [[Category:1922 births]] [[Category:2017 deaths]] [[Category:Companions of the Order of Australia]] [[Category:Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians]] [[Category:Australian fellows of the Royal College of Physicians]] [[Category:Fellows of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering]] [[Category:Academic staff of Monash University]] [[Category:Scientists from Adelaide]] [[Category:University of Adelaide Medical School alumni]] [[Category:Australian public health doctors]] [[Category:People educated at St Peter's College, Adelaide]] [[Category:Lieutenant-governors of South Australia]] [[Category:British emigrants to Australia]] [[Category:Australian expatriates in the United States]] [[Category:Medical doctors from Adelaide]] [[Category:Chancellors of the University of South Australia]]