Sydney Medical School Foundation

In 1957 Dr (Sir) Victor Coppleson and (Sir) Robert Crichton-Brown approached Sir Frank Packer, Sir Vincent Fairfax and Mr Bill Farnsworth with a proposal to seek funding from the private sector for postgraduate medical teaching and research at the University of Sydney. According to Sir Robert Crichton-Brown, the impetus for Victor Coppleson's initiative lay in his perception that the Faculty was “starving his committee of funds to carry out its task of postgraduate medical education.” The Foundation was to raise funds from members of the private sector, who would manage the investment of the money. The University, in effect the Faculty of Medicine, would then advise on the most appropriate people and projects to fund. The major contributors were entitled to Council membership.

At its meeting on 2 June 1958 the Post-Graduate Committee in Medicine had decided to recommend to Senate the establishment of a Foundation for Post-Graduate Education and Research in Medicine. Following a motion by the Vice-Chancellor, Senate approved the recommendation at its meeting held on 7 July 1958 (Senate Minutes, 7.7.1958, p.448). On 3 November 1958 Senate approved the name change of the foundation to Postgraduate Medical Foundation. The Senate retained the right to approve members of the Foundation's Council before they took office. The University was also represented on Council in an ex officio capacity.

The Medical Foundation's inaugural Council was made up of eight Governors, twelve Members, and eighteen Associate Members, with the University represented by the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, the Dean of Medicine, and the Professor of Obstetrics. The sourcing of donations and the control and investment of monies raised were largely controlled by the Foundation, whereas the University's Post-Graduate Committee advised on the most appropriate funding targets.

On 7 December 2009, under item 7.6.2 Resolution 346/09, Senate approved the change of name from The Medical Foundation to Sydney Medical School Foundation.

Sources: Senate Minutes and 50 years of discovery : a history of the Medical Foundation

University of Sydney. Medical Foundation & Caldwell, Richard & University of Sydney. Medical Foundation. (2009). 50 years of discovery : a history of the Medical Foundation / foreword by Richard Caldwell, president of the Medical Foundation. [Sydney, N.S.W.] : University of Sydney https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn4967310 (Accessed 05/11/2024)