# Basil Hetzel

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Australian medical researcher (1922 – 2017)

The Honourable Basil Hetzel AC FRACP FRCP Dr Basil Hetzel at the University of South Australia Library, City East campus, 2011 Lieutenant-Governor of South Australia In office 28 May 1992 – 18 April 2000 Preceded by Condor Laucke Succeeded by Bruno Krumins 2nd Chancellor of the University of South Australia In office 1992–1998 Preceded by John McDonald Succeeded by David Klingberg Personal details Born (1922-06-13)13 June 1922 London, England Died 4 February 2017(2017-02-04) (aged 94) Adelaide, South Australia Alma mater University of Adelaide Profession Scientist (Medicine, Epidemiology)

**Basil Stuart Hetzel** [AC](/source/Companion_of_the_Order_of_Australia) (13 June 1922 – 4 February 2017) was an Australian medical researcher who made a major contribution to combating [iodine deficiency](/source/Iodine_deficiency), a major cause of [goitre](/source/Goitre) and [cretinism](/source/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](/source/University_College_Hospital). They returned to [Adelaide](/source/Adelaide) in 1925. There he, along with his brother Peter (born 1924), was schooled at King's College and [St Peter's College, Adelaide](/source/St_Peter's_College%2C_Adelaide).[1]

Hetzel studied medicine at the [University of Adelaide](/source/University_of_Adelaide) from 1940 to 1944. As a medical student, he was granted reserved occupation status during [World War II](/source/World_War_II). He later applied to join the [Royal Australian Air Force](/source/Royal_Australian_Air_Force) as a medical officer but was denied on grounds of being unfit due to a long bout of pulmonary [tuberculosis](/source/Tuberculosis) in 1945.[2]

He was a [Fulbright Research Scholar](/source/Fulbright_Program) in the 1950s which included an appointment at [New York Hospital](/source/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](/source/St_Thomas'_Hospital).[3]

## Career

His first job after completing medical studies was as a Resident Medical Officer at [Parkside Mental Hospital](/source/Glenside_Hospital_(Adelaide)) 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](/source/University_of_Adelaide), where he remained for three years. He then undertook the role of Reader in Medicine at the [Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide](/source/Queen_Elizabeth_Hospital%2C_Adelaide) before moving to [Monash University](/source/Monash_University) as the Foundation Professor of Social and [Preventive Medicine](/source/Preventive_Medicine). In 2001, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital established the Basil Hetzel Institute for Medical Research in his honour.[4]

In 1956, Hetzel became a founding member of the South Australian Mental Health Association,[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] and along with other members, went on to assist with the establishment of the crisis support service [Lifeline](/source/Lifeline_(crisis_support_service)) which still runs today.

He also held the position of first chief of the [CSIRO](/source/CSIRO) Division of Human Nutrition. Hetzel was the Chancellor of the [University of South Australia](/source/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.[5]

### Research

During the 1960s, Hetzel pioneered research in Papua New Guinea confirming the first definite link between [iodine](/source/Iodine) deficiency and significant brain damage in unborn children.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

In the 1980s, Hetzel, supported by the [Australian Agency for International Development](/source/Australian_Agency_for_International_Development), became an international advocate for iodine supplementation, which is now taken for granted with iodinated [table salt](/source/Table_salt). This was part of the stimulus for the creation of the [Iodine Global Network](/source/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](/source/Global_Alliance_for_Improved_Nutrition), [UNICEF](/source/UNICEF), the [World Health Organization](/source/World_Health_Organization), and the [World Bank](/source/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.[6] Much of this success has been attributed to Hetzel's "indefatigable dedication to elimination of iodine deficiency disorders."[7] In 2010, the ICCIDD established a Basil Hetzel International Award for Communications for individuals who contribute to promoting awareness of iodine nutrition.[8]

## Other activities

Hetzel gave the [ABC](/source/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation)'s [Boyer Lecture](/source/Boyer_Lectures) in 1971, which he titled "Life and health in Australia".[9]

Hetzel and his second wife, Anne, were patrons of the [State Library of South Australia](/source/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.[9]

## 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.[10]

In 1983 Hetzel married again, to Anne Fisher, the widow of the headmaster of [Geelong Grammar School](/source/Geelong_Grammar_School), [Charles Fisher](/source/Charles_Fisher_(headmaster)).[10] Anne Hetzel [OAM](/source/Medal_of_the_Order_of_Australia) grew up in [Rhodesia](/source/Rhodesia) and studied music at the [Guildhall School of Music and Drama](/source/Guildhall_School_of_Music_and_Drama) in [London](/source/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](/source/Sir_Zelman_Cowen) and his wife in [Canberra](/source/Canberra), where she met Hetzel. She supported his work, including travelling with him, and during this time developed a love of art and textiles.[9]

Hetzel was a member of [Pilgrim Uniting Church](/source/Pilgrim_Uniting_Church) in Adelaide.[11]

Hetzel died on 4 February 2017, aged 94.[12]

## Recognition and honours

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- 1964: Eric Susman Prize, a prize for medical research presented by the [Royal Australasian College of Physicians](/source/Royal_Australasian_College_of_Physicians)[13]

- 1989: [Honorary professor](/source/Honorary_title_(academic)) at the [Tianjin Medical University](/source/Tianjin_Medical_University)

- 1990: [Companion of the Order of Australia](/source/Companion_of_the_Order_of_Australia)[14]

- 1993: Alwyn Smith Prize, [Faculty of Public Health Medicine](/source/Faculty_of_Public_Health_Medicine), UK

- 1997: [RSL](/source/Returned_and_Services_League_of_Australia) Anzac Peace Prize

- 1999: [Doctor of the University](/source/Doctor_of_the_University), [University of South Australia](/source/University_of_South_Australia), 1999

- 2001: Clinical Research Centre at the [Queen Elizabeth Hospital](/source/Queen_Elizabeth_Hospital%2C_Adelaide) named the Basil Hetzel Institute for Medical Research[15]

- 2004: [National Trust](/source/National_Trust_of_Australia) as a [National Living Treasure](/source/Australian_Living_Treasures)[9]

- 2005: [Adelaide Festival of Ideas](/source/Adelaide_Festival_of_Ideas) dedicated to him[9]

- 2008: [Prince Mahidol Award](/source/Prince_Mahidol_Award) from King [Bhumibol Adulyadej](/source/Bhumibol_Adulyadej) of [Thailand](/source/Thailand)[16]

- 2009: [Pollin Prize for Pediatric Research](/source/Pollin_Prize_for_Pediatric_Research)[17]

In 2000, following the completion of his term as lieutenant-governor, in an unusual break from convention, Hetzel was conferred the title '*The Honourable'* by [Elizabeth II](/source/Elizabeth_II) on 20 July 2000 for his services.[18]

In 2006, the [lecture theatre](/source/Lecture_theatre) in the [State Library](/source/State_Library_of_South_Australia)'s Institute Building was named [Anne and Basil Hetzel Lecture Theatre](/source/Anne_and_Basil_Hetzel_Lecture_Theatre).[9]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Hetzel, Basil (2005). *Chance and Commitment: Memoirs of a Medical Scientist*. pp. 8, 12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Hetzel, Basil (2005). *Chance and Commitment: Memoirs of a Medical Scientist*. p. 19.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Hetzel, Basil (2005). *Chance and Commitment: Memoirs of a Medical Scientist*. pp. 50, 65.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Hetzel, Basil (2005). *Chance and Commitment: Memoirs of a Medical Scientist*. pp. 35, 74.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Hawke Centre Inaugural Chair and Patron, The Hon Dr Basil Hetzel AC"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140531015954/http://w3.unisa.edu.au/hawkecentre/patrons/Hetzel.asp). Archived from [the original](http://w3.unisa.edu.au/hawkecentre/patrons/Hetzel.asp) on 31 May 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Hetzel, Basil (2002). ["Eliminating iodine deficiency disorders – the role of the International Council in the global Partnership"](https://www.who.int/bulletin/archives/80%285%29410.pdf?ua=1) (PDF). *Bulletin of the World Health Organization*. **80** (5): 410–3, discussion 413-7. [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [2567792](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2567792). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [12077619](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12077619). Retrieved 2 June 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Pincock, Stephen (2 March 2013). ["Basil Hetzel: Vanquishing iodine deficiency disorders"](http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2813%2960569-3/fulltext). *Lancet*. **381** (9868). The Lancet: 717. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60569-3](https://doi.org/10.1016%2FS0140-6736%2813%2960569-3). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [23472909](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23472909). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [38120516](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:38120516). Retrieved 2 June 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["ICCIDD Historical Milestones"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140606225719/http://www.iccidd.org/p142000256.html). *International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders*. Open Publishing. 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.iccidd.org/p142000256.html) on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-slsa_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-slsa_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-slsa_9-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-slsa_9-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-slsa_9-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-slsa_9-5) ["History of the State Library of South Australia: Lecture rooms"](https://guides.slsa.sa.gov.au/c.php?g=410288&p=2796233). *LibGuides at [State Library of South Australia](/source/State_Library_of_South_Australia)*. 17 June 2025. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250513091230/https://guides.slsa.sa.gov.au/c.php?g=410288&p=2796233) from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 7 October 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-memoirs_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-memoirs_10-1) Hetzel, Basil (2005). *Chance and Commitment: Memoirs of a Medical Scientist*. pp. 48, 73, 176, 179.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Pilgrim Uniting Church in the City - Basil Hetzel obituary"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180405175213/https://www.pilgrim.org.au/obituaries/Basil_Hetzel_obit.php). *pilgrim.org.au*. Archived from [the original](https://pilgrim.org.au/obituaries/Basil_Hetzel_obit.php) on 5 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Pioneering scientist dead at 94"](http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/02/06/pioneering-scientist-dead-94). *News*. SBS. AAP. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Eric Susman Prize"](https://www.racp.edu.au/foundation/our-recipients/prizes/college-and-congress). The Royal Australasian College of Physicians. 16 June 2025. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250803023330/https://www.racp.edu.au/foundation/our-recipients/prizes/college-and-congress) from the original on 3 August 2025. Retrieved 7 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_14-0)** ["The Queen's Birthday 1990 Honours"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article240730394). *[Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. Special](/source/Commonwealth_of_Australia_Gazette._Special)*. No. S141. Australia. 11 June 1990. p. 1. Retrieved 23 September 2020 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["History"](https://www.basilhetzelinstitute.com.au/about/history/). *Basil Hetzel Institute*. 16 September 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250514142036/https://www.basilhetzelinstitute.com.au/about/history/) from the original on 14 May 2025. Retrieved 7 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Percy, Karen (31 January 2008). ["Thai King honours Australian doctor"](http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/31/2150696.htm). *ABC News*. Retrieved 19 July 2012.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Pollin Prize"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090618193840/http://nyp.org/about/pollin-prize.html). [NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital](/source/NewYork-Presbyterian_Hospital). 2009. Archived from [the original](http://nyp.org/about/pollin-prize.html) on 18 June 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Gazette No 120/2000"](https://www.governmentgazette.sa.gov.au/2000/July/2000_120.pdf) (PDF). *South Australian Government Gazette* (120): 298. 27 July 2000.

## External links

- [Basil Hetzel Archival Collection at the University of South Australia](https://guides.library.unisa.edu.au/specialandarchivalcollections/hetzel)

- [ABC Radio National *Nexus* In Person Interview with Dr Basil Hetzel 26 March 2004](http://abcasiapacific.com/nexus/stories/s1064566.htm)

- [Profile on ABC TV Stateline SA 24 October 2003](https://web.archive.org/web/20060104015640/http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/sa/content/2003/s974769.htm)

- [The Hetzel Family's Friendship with China](http://www.china.org.cn/english/NM-e/69611.htm) on www.china.org.cn

- [National Trust List of National Living Treasures](https://web.archive.org/web/20070210145542/http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/treasureslist.html)

Government offices Preceded by Sir Condor Laucke Lieutenant-Governor of South Australia 1992–2000 Succeeded by Bruno Krumins

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States Czech Republic Netherlands Norway People Trove Other IdRef SNAC Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Basil Hetzel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil_Hetzel) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil_Hetzel?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.