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Scotch set the foundations for curious minds

WORDS: Mr David Ashton

Among OSCA's 100 Men of Influence, Men of Weight Gallery, announced during the launch of OSCA's centenary celebrations in March, are many Old Boys whose curious minds have led them on to major achievements in a wide variety of fields, from medicine and medical research, to zoology, engineering, pharmacy, mathematics, astronomy and theoretical physics, and many more. Here are some examples of where their curious minds have taken some of our top 100 Old Boys of all time.

Sir John Monash (Scotch 1877-81)

69a

An engineer, at the age of 50 Monash served at Gallipoli and in 1918 became commander of Australia’s forces in France. In the 1920s he helped to establish the State Electricity Commission of Victoria.

Sir Douglas Andrew Shields (1889-92)

69b

Having served in the Boer War, Shields later established a distinguished career as a surgeon using his Shields anaesthetic mask. During World War I he operated on more than 2,000 officers.

Sir William Colin MacKenzie (1891-93)

69c

Initially trained as an orthopaedic surgeon, MacKenzie explored links between zoology and medical science. His research location at Healesville later became the much-loved Healesville Sanctuary.

Sir Harold Robert Dew (1908)

69d

Having applied his medical training to service in the Royal Army Medical Corps during World War I, Dew later became recognised internationally as a major figure in medical research and education. At Sydney University he pioneered neurosurgery.

Sir Neil Hamilton Fairley (1905-08)

69e

Fairley’s medical career both during and between both World Wars focused on the cause and prevention of tropical diseases. His work in treating malaria in Northern Australia won international recognition and his subsequent status as Britain’s leader in tropical medicine.

Byron Lionel Stanton (1908-09)

69f

Stanton combined his initial training as a pharmacist with later studies in medicine to become Australia’s leading authority on the nature, effects and use of drugs. His work was recognised internationally.

Sir Thomas MacFarland Cherry (1908-14)

Clinical Photograph

Acknowledged as the doyen of mathematics in Australia from 1929 to 1952, Cherry was also a major figure in the creation of the Australian Academy of Science, and the encouragement of young people to enjoy challenging outdoor experiences.

Dr John Frederick Joseph Cade (1925-28)

69h

After being a prisoner of war at Changi during World War II, Cade became a leader in Australian psychiatry. His discovery of the use of lithium and group therapy earned international recognition.

Sir Benjamin Keith Rank (1924-28)

69i

After graduating in medicine in Melbourne, Rank trained in England to become a plastic surgeon which he applied to Australian servicemen during World War II. He later became a world leader in the field of plastic surgery.

Sir David Ronald Zeidler (1932-35)

69j

A graduate in science and engineering, Zeidler worked at the CSIRO from 1942 to 1952 before joining Imperial Chemical Industries in 1952. He later became chairman and managing director, as well as being chairman or board member of several public companies.

Professor Hugh Ringland Taylor (1954-64)

69k

Having trained as an ophthalmologist, Taylor is a world-renowned leader in campaigns aimed at the prevention of blindness, particularly in indigenous communities.

Professor Colin Arthur Norman (1954-65)

69l

A Rhodes Scholar, Norman’s studies at Oxford took him to the world of astronomy and theoretical physics. His subsequent career in the United States established him as a world authority on astronomical observation.

Updated: 14 September 2015