Page 9 - Luce 2012

N EW S AND E VENTS

From JCH

to the world:
Marita Cheng

speaks with passion
on the global stage

Ms Marita Cheng (2007) has completed
a busy year as Young Australian of
the Year – a year which began sailing
into Sydney Harbour with Geoffrey
Rush, and concluded with a series of
speaking engagements across China in
commemoration of 40 years of diplomatic
relations between our nations. In the
course of the year Marita criss-crossed
Australia, also jetting overseas to launch
Dr Margaret Henderson OBE with Acting Principal Mrs Donna Davies, Council
member & President of the Academic Board Prof Ruth Fincher and Dean of the and encourage growing Robogals
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences Prof James Angus at the conferral chapters in the US and UK. Her address
of her honorary doctorate to students at Janet Clarke Hall’s 2012
Leadership Dinner was but one of
The University honours around 130 speaking engagements for
Dr Margaret Henderson the year. Making time to return to the
College despite her busy schedule (and an
overseas flight the next day) underlined
College Fellow Dr Margaret Henderson OBE (1934) received the University of Marita’s high regard for the College –
Melbourne’s highest honour when she was presented with the degree of Doctor of
Medical Science (honoris causa) as part of the Medical Faculty’s sesquicentennial indeed, her interest in living at JCH, she
celebrations. The College was delighted to join with the University to celebrate noted, was fundamental to her decision
Margaret’s award, which recognises her lifelong contribution to the advancement of to move from Queensland to study in
medicine across a range of organisations including the Royal Melbourne Hospital, the Melbourne. The College is delighted
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, the Red Cross, and in the Australian Military Forces that we were among the thousands who
during World War II. As Honorary Physician at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the
Queen Victoria Hospital, Margaret was both a pioneer and an inspiration to generations were able to hear Marita speak on her
of women within the medical profession. Within Janet Clarke Hall she inspired and passion to engage young women through
cared for students as Medical Officer to the College. Robogals, encouraging them to consider
engineering as a career choice.
As the citation for her award of the Doctor of Medical Science (honoris causa) reads:
‘Her quietly aspiring and astutely comprehensive approach to the pursuit of clinical
excellence and the integration of research into practice has been a beacon for medical
students and practitioners alike.’ It continues:
It is 125 years since women were admitted to the medical course
at the University of Melbourne. There have been many outstanding
contributions to the practice of medicine, to teaching and research
by generations of women graduates. Margaret Henderson was a
leader and pioneer in establishing the rightful place of women in
medicine.

The College congratulates Margaret on this singular honour, noting her impact upon
News & Events
Janet Clarke Hall where she has lent gracious and gentle support to the College over
more than seven decades as student, staff member, and Fellow.

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J anet Clarke Hall