 Oliphant founded the Australian Academy of Science in 1954 , teaming up with David Martyn to overcome the obstacles that had frustrated previous attempts . Oliphant was its president until 1956 . Deciding that the Academy of Science should have its own special building , Oliphant raised the required money from donations . As chairman of the Building Design Committee , he selected and oversaw the construction of one of Canberra 's most striking architectural designs . He also delivered the Academy of Science 's 1961 Matthew Flinders Lecture , on the subject of " Faraday in his time and today " . 
