125 stories for 125 years

Pharmacy Politicians

The Hon John Delzoppo

John Delzoppo was awarded a Centenary Medal for serving as speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly. After working in partnership with his wife in a local pharmacy for 30 years, John Delzoppo was elected to the district of Narracan in 1982.

John had been the Branch President of the Liberal Party in 1968. He was a Member of Parliament for 14 years, holding the position of Speaker of the Legislative Assembly from 1992 to 1996. He served on the Public Bodies Review Committee from 1982 to 1992, the Standing Orders Committee 1989-1992 and the Parliament of Victoria Committee from 1991 to 1992.

He held a number of parliamentary positions including Shadow Minister for Transport, Local Government, Water Resources and Property and Services. Active in his local community, John was a Councillor for the Shire of Buln Buln for 20 years.

Antony Lamb OAM

Tony finished his studies at the college in 1959. After working in retail pharmacy, he completed a Bachelor of Arts at Melbourne University in 1971 and a Dip Ed at Monash University in 1979.

Tony began his political career by winning the seat of Latrobe (Vic) in 1972. In 1973, he set up the parliamentary group of Amnesty International. Serving two terms under Gough Whitlam, he held positions as Secretary of Caucus and Chairman of the Environment Committee of the House of Representatives. He went on to serve another two terms under Bob Hawke and was member for Streeton (Vic) from 1984 to 1990. During this time, he was Deputy Government Whip (1987 to 1990) and Chair of the Caucus Social Justice Committee. In 1986 he established the Parliamentarians for East Timor group.

After working with Barry Jones, Tony became National Director of the Institute of Pharmacy Management. He is a life member of the ALP and is currently doing his PhD at the Institute of Social Research, Swinburne University. According to Tony, good communication and a preparedness ‘to do the really menial jobs in a pharmacy’ combined with a belief in the importance of feedback, have been the cornerstones of his successful career. He was awarded an OAM in the Australia Day honours list 2006 for services to pharmacy, the Australian Parliament and the community.

Dr Wellington Lee OBE, OAM, RFD

Dr Lee was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service to local government through the City of Melbourne and to the community, particularly through his work with Landcare Foundation Victoria and the State Library of Victoria Foundation. Active in community affairs for many years, Wellington has served as a Justice of the Peace since 1963, including time as Chairman Honorary Magistrates’ Bench. He was a Councillor, City of Melbourne 1996- 2000; Chairman Landcare Foundation Victoria 1994-2001; Committee Member, State Library of Victoria 1996-2001; and a member of the Health Services Review Council 1994-97.

Graeme Weideman

Graeme graduated from the college in 1960. He served as a retail pharmacist from 1960 to 1977 and was a member of the state branch committee of the Pharmacy Guild of Victoria from 1966 to 1972. He was a director of Protos Chemicals from 1968 to 1972, managing director Weideman-Tilley Soaps Pty Ltd 1974-1976 and partner of Tilley Soaps Ltd in 1977. He became a JP in 1973.

He joined the Liberal Party in 1966, was a campaign director of the Flinders seat, secretary of the Frankston branch 1968-1972, president 1972-1976 and again in 1983. He was appointed the Minister for Tourism and Assistant Minister of Health 1981-1982. Graeme served on the Public Accounts committee 1979-1980 and Public Bodies Review committee 1980-1981.

Graeme was on the first board of VicHealth, established in 1987. ‘The ebullient Graeme Weideman, representing the Liberal Party, was so enthusiastic a Board member that we had to assign a staff member to respond to his multitude of suggestions and ideas,’ said Rhonda Galbally, former Chief Executive Officer of VicHealth

As a long-serving Liberal politician and VicHealth Board member Graeme said, ‘We had the opportunity to do things that had never been done before. We had to use the money available with the greatest amount of respect and get value for our money. I believe we did.’