Emeritus Consultants Biographies

William John RILEY University of Western Australia BSc (WA) 1955 PhD (WA) 1966 FAACB 1968 Consultant Biochemist

Bill Riley was born in South Perth in 1934 and received his early education at Perth Modern School.  He graduated from the University of Western Australia in 1955 and not long afterwards joined the Biochemistry Department of the Royal Perth Hospital as a laboratory technologist.  In 1963 he was appointed Chemist and Research Officer with a particular interest in the clinical chemistry of steroids.  This culminated in the award of a PhD by the University of Western Australia in 1966 and a year as a visiting scientist at the Courtauld Institute of the Middlesex Hospital in London.

Further promotion followed - as Assistant Biochemist (1965-68), Biochemist and Deputy Head of Department 1968 and Acting Head from 1973-75 and 1990-92.  Somehow he found time to be a lecturer and examiner at the Perth Technical College up to 1965.  Bill held highly responsible positions in the Australian Association of Clinical Biochemists, being sometime Chairman of its Education Committee and from 1979-84, Chairman of it's Board of Examiners.  He was appointed Vice President from 1982-84 and President from 1985-87.

Within the hospital he served on many committees.  His quiet persuasive manner and ready smile winning many friends.  He was always willing to give trainees all the time they needed and clinicians found him ready to discuss the biochemical aspects of clinical problems.

His writings are extensive, resulting in 37 publications in professional journals.

Bill married Lorraine, who was for many years a nursing sister at the Royal Perth Hospital and they have three children.  He has been a keen yachtsman over many years and in his younger days played A Grade hockey with Old Modernians.  Many will remember the Christmas pantomimes for which he was largely responsible during earlier years.  These undoubtedly helped to add to the team spirit of a first class Department of Biochemistry.

Bill Riley retired in 1992 and in recognition of his service to the Hospital, the Board of Management appointed him Emeritus Consultant Biochemist.