frederick soddy's services were announced in april 1904 as having been secured by the university extension committee (of the university of adelaide) for a series of popular lectures on the subject of radioactivity, x-rays and wireless telegraphy. soddy had already won fame in his co-discovery (with rutherford) of the transmutation of elements, though his many other discoveries and award of nobel prize lay in the future. the committee was aware that they were fortunate in having such a notable scientist in their midst and arranged a comprehensive program both for perth and several surrounding country centres. soddy had concluded his tenure at the university college, london and was about to take up his newly created position as lecturer in physical chemistry and radioactivity at glasgow university. soddy arrived at fremantle 14 june 1904 on board . in an interesting twist, this vessel was wrecked at point nepean less than a week later (fortunately with no loss of life). the lectures were entitled "radium and modern views on electricity and matter". the planned schedule of lectures was varied in number and timing through the course of the tour, but in the end included 7 in perth (one of which was a repeat), 3 in fremantle, 2 in kalgoorlie and 1 each in coolgardie, northam, york, albany and bunbury.