125 stories for 125 years

The New College

In 1945 a rebuilding proposal was put to the college council by its president Sam Baird and ATS Sissons. The council needed to raise significant funds to refurbish and renovate the Swanston Street campus.  After years of discussion and negotiation the council decided to build a new college and purchased a site on Royal Parade, Parkville. The location was central to other health industries and close to the University of Melbourne.

1957 was the centenary of the Pharmaceutical Society and among the various functions was the laying of the foundation stone for the college. The stone was laid by the Governor of Victoria, General Sir Reginald Alexander Dallas Brooks before a guard of honour of ex-service pharmacist on 30 October 1957.

Sir Brooks opened the new college in March 1960.The new building marked the end of the apprenticeship system. Students would now partake in a diploma course, entailing three years of full time study at the college, and one year of full time work afterwards.

The college operated on a very tight budget, equipment was minimal, teachers, although dedicated, were not always qualified, and almost no research was being carried out. During the 1960s Dean Nigel Manning wished to attract the best teachers and called for funds for research, he settled the college into its new home and brought it in line with international institutions. The college was an icon in Victoria and in Australia. It had produced many pharmaceutical leaders and has remained at the heart of Victorian Pharmacy.

The Chemists Returned Services League’s sub-branch clubroom is located in the Sissons building, marked by the Book of Remembrance in the lobby.