Plaque unveiling at 360 Swanston St

On Tuesday 6th June at 10am, over 120 guests assembled at the Oxford Scholar Hotel to unveil a plaque to commemorate the old site of the College of Pharmacy at 360 Swanston St, now RMIT. Many graduates who spent time at the old campus got together to reminisce and renew old friendships. The Oxford Scholar was a favourite watering hole for many as it was right opposite the old College and was fondly remembered on the day.

The Plaque which has been installed near to 360 Swanston St RMIT, is a metal plaque with a black and white finish. The College magazine as well as the coat of arms that appeared on the uniforms features on the plaque as well as an inscription denoting the Colleges history and dates of the change of premises.  

Speakers included graduate and National President of the Pharmaceutical Society Brian Grogan and John Jackson PSA Vic Branch president. Dean of the Victorian College of Pharmacy, Professor Colin Chapman, said the profession and the teaching of pharmacy had changed considerably since its beginnings. "There is a greater emphasis now on providing medication advice and acting as a triage -- interacting with customers, assessing what their symptoms are and determining whether they can be treated on the spot or referred on," he said.

Mr John Coppock of Pharmaceutical Defence Ltd, and also a graduate spoke at the unveiling and commented on the old college’s particular idiosyncrasies, its characters and the calibre of graduates.

Chair of the Victorian College of Pharmacy Foundation and graduate of the college, Mr Alistair Lloyd AO, said the event provided an opportunity for graduates, particularly those who graduated before 1960, to celebrate their time as students. Many retired graduates travelled into the city from rural and regional Victoria to renew friendships and spend some time in what was for many the closest watering hole to the College.

The Plaque Unveiling was just one of the events planned in a busy year of Victorian College of Pharmacy 125th anniversary celebrations.

Speakers:  

John Jackson: PSA, (Vic Branch) President
Brian Grogan: PSA, National President
Alistair Lloyd: AO, Chair of the Foundation
John Coppock: Chairman, Pharmaceutical Defence  
Prof Colin Chapman: Dean, Victorian College of Pharmacy