Hicks was a gemmologist who, after completing his studies with the Gemmological Association of Australia (GAA), dedicated over a decade of his life to the development of The Australian Gemmologist.
His professional background in the publishing industry, as a part of the third-generation publishing firm Hicks Smith & Son, made him an incredible asset to the editorial team. He was officially appointed editor of the publication in August of 1981 by the Melbourne-based editorial committee.
"As our association is run on a voluntary basis, The Australian Gemmologist was indeed fortunate to be able to attract an experienced publisher of the calibre of Bill Hicks to act as its Editor", reflected Grahame Brown in the November 1993 edition of the publication.
Hicks worked diligently over the next 12 years editing, re-writing papers by hand and preparing layouts. This was no small feat in a time before widespread computer processing, with the re-writing and editing of documents being completed by Hicks on his typewriter.
In 1982, Hicks introduced selected colour printing throughout the publication as visual aids to support relevant articles. Previously, colour printing had been reserved solely for the cover.
Hicks was dedicated to the improvement of the journal while also being pragmatic about decreasing the rising costs of publishing a comprehensive, quality journal. Under Hicks' guidance, by 1983, The Australian Gemmologist reported readership across 30 countries.
Brown, who worked alongside Hicks, explained, “He unobtrusively yet positively guided our quarterly journal to its current status as a refereed scientific journal of gemmology of world standard.”
His dedication to the journal was made possible by his wife, Rose Hicks, who assisted as secretary.
The couple loved to travel, though they never let this get in the way of publishing the journal.
Accounts of Hicks preparing the journal for publishing from Athens and Florence is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the publication.
Through his role as editor and involvement with the GAA, he made many friends in the field of gemmology, including Richard W Hughes and Eduard Gübelin, whom he met during his travels.
After a brave battle with leukemia, Hicks died in November 1993, leaving behind his wife Rose and son Doug. A dedication from Brown was published in the May 1994 edition of The Australian Gemmologist.
“It is my belief that all members of the Gemmological Association of Australia owe Rose, and the late Bill Hicks, thanks (quite inadequate recognition) for the hours, days, weeks, and years of unselfish work, under mostly inconvenient conditions, they devoted to editing and publishing our journal; as well as raising the quality of its content to that of a journal of world standing”.
In 1991, the GAA made Hicks an honorary life member in recognition of his significant contribution to the association and The Australian Gemmologist.
After his death, the W.H. Hicks Prize was founded in his honour.
The GAA Federal Council may award this prize annually or biennially to an author in Australia for the best paper published in The Australian Gemmologist.
Voting for the award takes place by an independent selection panel appointed by the editor and editorial committee.
It is due to the extraordinary efforts of Hicks that The Australian Gemmologist has become an internationally recognised gemmological publication of the highest standard.
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