Dr Martin Cole has written and illustrated three novels to date and is well-practised in technical journalism. Through dozens of published magazine feature articles he has sought to simplify scientific issues and developments in an exciting way, to entice, entertain, amuse and inform the general reader.

In doing so he has drawn upon a wide range of skills and interests from managing businesses and raising a family, to competition motor racing (driving), to graphic art, to scientific research and engineering design, to manufacturing and international marketing, to astronomy, history, languages and of course a passion for reading.

His broad exposure to science and engineering arises through 8 years’ service on the Prime Minister’s Science Engineering & Innovation Council, 10 years’ service to the Astronomy profession (founding Chairman of Astronomy Australia Ltd.) and 21 years’ service on the National Council of Engineers Australia which has over 100,000 members (National President in 2000 and 2001). Throughout these roles he has been extensively involved with science and technology communication to politicians, practitioners, students and the general public.

He holds a Master of Engineering degree and a Doctorate of Philosophy, dozens of patents have been granted for his different inventions and he has received numerous awards for leadership in both design and export of Australian products.

His day job has centred on the design of electronic products, systems and software for security and fire prevention, and he is best known for pioneering the Aspirated Smoke Detection industry worldwide. In 2017 (Boston USA) he received the coveted international DiNenno Prize – regarded as the Nobel Prize in public safety.

He and his wife Christine have had five children and seven grandchildren.