David Penington

Biography

He was educated at Carey Grammar, and later Scotch College, Melbourne (1940-1947). He obtained BM.Bch and later Doctorate in Medicine at the University of Oxford and a Doctorate in Laws (Hon) at the University of Melbourne.

He initially had a career in medicine in the United Kingdom at the London Hospital 1957-1967 and in Harley Street, London until 1967.

He was then Professor of Medicine from 1970 - 1987 at the University of Melbourne, and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine between 1978 and 1985. He chaired a Committee of Inquiry into he Rights of Private Practice (Medicare Dispute) in 1984 and the National AIDS Task Force 1983-87. He was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne from 1988 to 1995.

Other positions held by Penington include Chairman National Blood Transfusion Committee, member Council, Australian Red Cross (1977-1983); Director, Nepal Blood Transfusion Aid Project (ADAB & ARCS)(1978-1982); Director, Tianjin (China) Blood Transfusion Aid Project (ADAB & ARCS)(1980-1988); Member of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) (1982-1987); Chair NH&MRC Committee on AIDS and Chair National AIDS Task Force (1983-1987); Chair Victorian Premier's Drug Advisory Committee (1995-1996); Chair of the Victorian Drug Policy Expert Committee (2000); President of the Museums Board of Victoria (1994-2001); Member of the Council of Scotch College (1995-1999); Director of Pacific Dunlop (1991-2000); Chairman of Cochlear Limited (1995-2002); Chairman Neuroscience Victoria (2002-2005); Chairman Bio21 Cluster (2002-2007); and Chairman Bionic Vision Australia (2009-2013).

He was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1988 for services to medicine and to the community, particularly in the field of medical education and health care.

Published works