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Obituaries
a professorship at the University of Otago. In 1998 he moved to Queensland as Foundation Director for the Mater Medical Research Institute as well as an appointment as Professor at the University
of Queensland. Under his directorship programs in biotherapy, cancer biology, epithelial cancer and mucosal biology and innovative pathology complemented the Institute’s scienti c direction. He received international recognition and was recognised with many awards including the RCPA Distinguished Fellow Award presented in 2007.
Dr Peter Ian Alexander Hendry AO
Late of NSW 1915 – 2017
Peter studied Medicine at Sydney University and began pathology at the Coast Hospital at La Perouse where he found patients with all types of infectious diseases. His work there was interrupted in 1940 by war. He enlisted in the AIF and was part of the Burma-Thailand Railway and was in Changi where he faced infections like malaria, cholera, smallpox, typhus. There are many references to his leadership and courage but back home he would not speak of it and had a hard time adjusting. As a result of Changi he adopted the policy of ‘take each day as it comes; forget the past; and don’t worry about the future.’
He accepted a post at Royal Newcastle Hospital as Clinical Pathologist and the rst Director of the Blood Bank and helped to pioneer life-saving techniques for blood transfusions in dying babies. He set up in private practice and was joined by Roger Hampson, and before long the Hendry and Hampson Pathology Services were well known; he worked there until the age of 85 and was recognised as the backbone of pathology services in the Hunter.
A Founding Fellow of the College Peter served as President (1973-1975, and on College committees for many others. As President of WASPaLM (1972-75) he received their top award, presented by the Crown Prince of Japan (1983) where he began his acceptance with ‘I thank our hosts for their generous welcome.Your hospitality has certainly improved since I was last a guest of Japan.’
Peter Hendry was involved in a campaign which established the University of Newcastle and in particular the Faculty of Medicine. He made lifelong friendships and helped develop many of its facilities and services, was the University’s longest serving Councillor and the longest serving Deputy Chancellor and was honoured with a Doctor of Medicine (1988) and Doctor of the University (1998). He wanted the university to provide a rounded education. He himself had many interests, he co-authored a book “It’s in your Blood” (all pro ts went to the University), piloted planes and loved his sport, still playing golf well past his 100th birthday. In 1985 Peter received the Order of Australia for services to his Country, Medicine, Education and Community. Despite many honours he did
not seek them. He was a humble person with a great sense of humour, a real gentleman who was immensely loyal to his principles, his family, his profession, his colleagues and his country.
ANNUAL REPORT • 2017 - 2018