125 Stories for 125 Years

Cyril Tonkin

Dr Cyril TonkinOBE excelled in his dual careers as a pharmacist and as a doctor. Graduating from the college in 1910, he earned both the Intermediate Gold Medal in 1908 and the Final Examination Gold Medal in 1910. His early education was made possible by several scholarships, testament to how crucial such support can be.

He first became apprenticed to pharmacist David Cossar in 1906.The Cossar family are well known patrons of the college, the mainhall at the Parkville campus named in honour of their philanthropy.

In 1909, Cyril worked as an assistant demonstrator to medicalstudents and as a demonstrator at the college from 1910 to 1912.He enrolled as a medical student at the University of Melbourne buthis studies were interrupted by World War I, when he enlisted in themedical corps.

He served as a Staff Sergeant in the First Light Horse FieldAmbulance from 1914 to 1916. Transferring to combat duty andpromoted to Lieutenant, he was posted to the 12th Machine GunCompany in which he served until 1918. Cyril also served as a Majorat Army Headquarters, being Assistant Director General MedicalServices (Pharmaceutical) until 1939, following in the footsteps of hisearly mentor Major David Cossar.

He completed his medical studies in 1921. He was a lecturer inbotany at the college from 1920 to 1945 and was examiner in materiamedica for the Pharmacy Board of Victoria for 30 years until 1953.

Always a strong supporter of scholarship and research, hewas awarded a Fellowship by examination of the PharmaceuticalSociety of Victoria in 1932. He became an honorary life memberof the society in 1964. In 1959, he was made an Officer of theOrder of the British Empire for his services to pharmacy, medicineand the community.

In 1976, a major scholarship, named in his honour, was endowedto promote innovation and leadership in the profession of pharmacy.