The Belle Bruce Reid Honour Roll

Belle (Isabelle) Bruce Reid GMVC was the first and only woman to qualify from the Melbourne Veterinary College established by William Tyson Kendall in January 1888 following the passing of the Veterinary Surgeons Act of Victoria in December 1887.

The course at the Melbourne Veterinary College was given over four years and the final examinations were conducted by the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Victoria.  The minutes of the Board meeting of 28 November 1906 record the results for the 4th year class, and the motion:

“Mr Beckwith moved that Miss Belle Reid be passed the 4th year Examination with 2nd class honours and that she be registered as a Vet Surgeon on payment of the usual fees.  Sec.  Mr Leitch, and agreed to”.

To celebrate this centenary and the contributions made by female veterinarians to the veterinary profession, The University of Melbourne Faculty of Veterinary Science has established this Belle Bruce Reid Honour Roll on the 28 November 2006.  Those 100 female veterinarians named on this roll include women who graduated overseas and made their contributions in Australia, and women who graduated from Veterinary Schools in Australia and made their contributions anywhere in the world.

This website is established as a virtual honour roll. The Faculty of Veterinary Science would appreciate receiving additional biographical information on those named on this roll as the years pass.  In 2022 it is planned to honour another 100 female veterinarians to celebrate the centenary of the registration of the second woman Miss Margaret Keats (BVSc Melb).  In 2036, an additional 100 female veterinarians will be listed to celebrate the centenary of the registration of the third woman Miss Ann Flashman (BVSc Sydney).