Wednesday, 7 November 2012

The first students to complete their degree in medicine at The University of Western Australia's new Medical School, rather than having to study interstate or overseas, are celebrating 50 years since they became doctors.

Before UWA's Medical School started in 1957, aspiring young medicos had to travel to the Eastern States or train overseas.  Many stayed where they had qualified, leaving WA's booming population with a doctor shortage.

Dr Lewis Blake said of the 35 who completed their course in 1962, many would not have been able to attend UWA if the Medical School had not been established.  The School was funded jointly by the State Government and the financial support of the WA public.

The Medical School Appeal Fund was launched in September 1955 and raised more than £570,000 (the modern equivalent of more $17 million) at a time when the State's population was less than 640,000.

The appeal was supported by community groups such as Rotary Clubs - which played a major role in establishing "citizen committees" from Carnarvon to Esperance - churches, the Returned & Services League, the Australian Medical Association, racing and trotting bodies, unions, the Bread Manufacturers of WA and private donations.

At the time the UWA Medical School was created, WA had one doctor per 1100 people.  The ratio is now about 1:300.

"We feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to become doctors and would like to remind the people of Western Australia of the important role they played in helping establish the medical school," Dr Blake said.

"We would like to express our thanks and sincere appreciation to the public for helping us enter our chosen profession."

The graduates from 1962 will celebrate their 50 th anniversary with a dinner at The University of WA Club this Saturday, November 10.  Professor David Sinclair, the sole surviving Foundation Professor of the UWA Medical School, will appear via video link from his home in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Over more than five decades, UWA's Medical School has evolved from a fledgling centre scattered across makeshift accommodation to an expansive, multi-faceted complex of state-of-the-art teaching and research.  The School has much to celebrate, having produced a Nobel Prize winner, cutting-edge researchers, passionate teachers and advocates, and outstanding graduates.

Media references

Dr Lewis Blake (+61 8)  9321 6202
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783

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