Victorian College of Pharmacy - Alumni

Classnotes - 1960's

Samuel Bali (PhC 1966) is semi-retired after having a business in Pascoe Vale for 37 years. In June 2006, he had the great honour of becoming a life member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.

Professor Alexander Bobik (BPharm 1969) worked in retail pharmacy before completing his Masters and PhD and taking up a research position at The Alfred. During 34 years of a joint appointment between the hospital and the Baker Heart Research Institute, he has published more than 200 research papers on hypertension, atherosclerosis and vascular biology. He runs an internationally renowned laboratory and is on the editorial boards of many journals including the American Heart Association’s journal, Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, and the European Society of Cardiology journal, Cardiovascular Research. Currently associate director of the Alfred Baker Medical Unit at The Alfred and Baker Heart Research Institute, he is also a professor in the Department of Medicine and the Department of Immunology at Monash University. October 2008

Joy Burman (nee Silvester) (PhC1964, GradDipCommPharm 1985), one of the last pharmacy apprentices, spent her first year studying at the old Swanston Street campus. She worked for various employers, with a career highlight being supervising extra training seminars for trainees of the Terry White Group in 1997 and 1998. She spent five years working for the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (Victorian branch), managing the Pharmavision Continuing Education Library, and many years assisting on the continuing education committee. After retiring from pharmacy in 2001, Joy completed a Bachelor of Arts with Monash. October 2008

Harold Dennis (PhC 1964) Harold retired from his Wodonga pharmacy in 2001 and now breeds Angus cattle on his farm Esold Park in Staghorn Flat. Harold and wife Esther are enjoying their nine grandchildren and Harold has taken up wood turning in his spare time. October 2008

Mary Hemming (PhC 1965) Mary is the CEO of Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd. She was a key member of the team responsible for the concept and evolution of Therapeutic Guidelines and has guided the enterprise for many years, transforming it from a government-funded venture into an independent self-sustaining not-for-profit organisation that is both nationally and internationally recognised. Mary was also a member of the original PHARM Committee that developed the first drafts of the National Medicines Policy. October 2008

After completing his final year, Roger James (PhC 1961) worked in community pharmacy, where he became proprietor of the Templestowe Pharmacy until 1976. He then joined Rocke Tasuprett and Co Ltd as marketing manager before becoming state manager. In 1988, he became CEO of the Victorian Hospital Association (Trading Division) and in 1998 CEO of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (Victorian branch). Following retirement in 2002, Roger was appointed chairman of the Western Port Seagrass Partnership Ltd, a research organisation concerned with the degradation of the bay, and adviser to the Member for Kew in the Parliament of Victoria. October 2008

David Newgreen (PhC 1964, BPharm 1969) works part time with the Pharmacy Board of Victoria and co-authored its history. David is a member of the Medicines Evaluation Committee and has written several major reviews for the Therapeutic Goods Administration as well as drawing up Fiji’s new medicines and pharmacy legislation, in conjunction with La Trobe University. He lectures in forensic pharmacy and would like a holiday in Canada. October 2008

After Frank O’Sullivan (PhC 1964) graduated, he managed pharmacies in Box Hill and Colac before moving to a pharmacy in Camberwell, which he managed and then purchased. For eight years he lived above the business, one of the last resident chemists in Melbourne. After 33 years, he sold the business in 1999 and began working full time conducting home medication reviews and residential medication management reviews throughout metropolitan Melbourne, a job that he continues part time today. In 1990, Frank began dispensing methadone through his pharmacy, generating an interest in the important role that pharmacists play in combating drug addiction. This led to a position on the Board of Odyssey House, a role he has held for the past three years. October 2008

Retirement for Didimo Tonelli (BPharm 1968) has been anything but quiet. Having undertaken some sailing and travelling around Australia and overseas, Didimo has gone on to complete his Certificate III in fitness and is now a qualified gym instructor. Didimo and his wife both volunteer as gym instructors and have seen the vast difference exercise has made to the quality of life for the older people in their classes. October 2008