New Life comes to Werribee
Press release
1 December 2009
A commemorative sculpture celebrating the centenary of the Faculty of Veterinary Science was unveiled on the lawns of the Veterinary Clinical Centre at Werribee on Saturday 28 November.
Alumni, past and present Faculty staff and special guests were present to see the Centenary Memorial Sculpture 'New Life' unveiled by Dr Mark Lawrie, President of the Australian Veterinary Association.
Special guests included Dr Val Sloss, on whom the sculpture was modelled, and his wife Mrs Astra Sloss. The Faculty was also privileged to have three past Deans attend – Professors Emeritus Douglas Blood, Kenneth Jubb and Ivan Caple – along with former lecturer Dr Clive Gay and his wife Mrs Carol Gay who travelled from the US to attend the celebrations.
In his address Professor Ken Hinchcliff, Dean of Veterinary Science, spoke of the tremendous achievements of the Faculty over the last 100 years. "The success of the School can be judged by the contribution that our staff and graduates have made all over the world, enhancing animal health and welfare, improving food safety and quality, and caring for animals that provide companionship to humans".
Dr Lawrie also praised the considerable contribution the Faculty has made to the veterinary profession."Today, our country's veterinary education system and the graduates it produces are in the cream of the world’s veterinary crop. This is typified by the school here at Melbourne which has accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Melbourne's veterinary graduates are recognised and indeed eagerly accepted worldwide".
Following the unveiling, guests mingled with old friends and colleagues over afternoon tea in Kendall Hall.
Special thanks must be extended to Associate Professor Bruce Parry for his unstinting dedication in raising the funds needed to create the sculpture. The sculpture was funded through support of alumni, staff and friends of the Faculty.
'New Life' will stand as a lasting testament to our Centenary year and remind those who come after us of the immense contributions of so many to make the School what it is.For further information please contact Hinalei Johnston, Marketing Manager, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Tel: 8344 7844 or email: h.johnston@unimelb.edu.au