Congratulations to Dr Barry Catchlove and Robert Purves: Fellows of the University

The Faculty of Medicine congratulates two new Honorary Fellows of the University, Mr Robert Purves and Dr Barry Catchlove. The titles were conferred on 2 May 2008 by the Deputy Chancellor Alan Cameron at the Faculty of Medicine’s graduation ceremony. For both, the award was in recognition of long-term support of the Faculty and University.

Mr Purves is chairman of his family’s charity, the Raymond Purves Foundation, which has had a long association with the University. The Foundation’s significant financial contributions over decades have supported the establishment of a number of new chairs, research laboratories, and other activities.

It funded the establishment of the Raymond Purves Research Laboratories at Royal North Shore Hospital, which supports the Chair in Orthopaedics and Traumatic Surgery. It has funded the Chair of Surgery in Transplantation and Chair of Dermatology, provided support for the department of Anaesthesia and Pain Managements at RNSH, and for the Centenary Institute for Medical Research.

Aside from his family philanthropic interests, Mr Purves has had a successful career in business, and been a leading advocate for environmental and other causes. He was the chairman of Clyde Industries and was previously chairman of healthcare company, DCA Group. He is currently president of the Australian chapter of the WWF, a vocal champion of environmental matters and was instrumental in establishing the Wentworth Group of leading Australian environmental scientists.

Dr Barry Catchlove has also been a long term advocate for the University. He graduated MBBS in 1966 and in more recent years, has been one of the critical people responsible for a resurgence of interest in and support for University by alumni. He is currently president of the Alumni Council, and is a former president of the Medical Graduates Association. During his time with the MGA, he was responsible for strengthening ties with the Faculty, and was one of the driving forces behind the expansion of alumni-supported scholarships for medical students experiencing financial difficulties.

Dr Catchlove is now retired, following a successful career in health care management. He was the director of the Royal Children’s Hospital in Victoria during a period which saw its re-establishment as one of the top paediatric institutions in the world. In his later roles, he was head of Health Care of Australia and Chair of the Health Insurance Commission.

Full citations for both Mr Purves and Dr Catchlove are available on the University’s Senate web site.