The 2005 Dental Alumni Society Dinner was held on Friday 11th November, 2005 at St. John's College. Below is the text of a speech delivered by A/Prof N.A. Duckmanton on that evening.
Mr. President, Distinguished Guests, Alumni, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Thank you Sir for granting me the honour of proposing this toast to our University and the Faculty of Dentistry.
Please may I take some liberty on this occasion and discharge this duty as the representative of the Class of 1951, some of whom are present tonight.
They have, upon reflection of their lives and after some discussion, empowered me to pose the question "What has our Alma Mata Done For Us?" and to attempt to provide some answers.
First of all, we must acknowledge that the University has bestowed great benefits upon us and while the enumeration of them all would make an impressive list, I would like to cite some of them:
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90% of our year of entry - 1948 - were ex military who were granted War Service Matriculation status with four subjects, for those with service over three years - 3 subjects. They could be gained from a variety of reputable institutions worldwide, - one by one if necessary. |
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Those, whose secondary education was incomplete, or as in many cases, non-existent - I was one - were enrolled in special classes at Sydney Technical College at the request of the University for one year of tuition in preparation for entry to the University. |
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These studies were carried out under the Commonwealth Reconstruction Training Scheme for Ex Service Personnel and we were supported for the duration of our degree courses. This support was extended to the University as well. |
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Extra staff were employed, facilities were created and special buildings were erected to cater for this massive intake of students. |
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Our first year in Dentistry comprised 350+ students - all were accepted - not one was turned away. |
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The Faculty, under the wise guidance of Professor A.J. Arnott, developed and organised the course and expanded the facilities to accommodate us all. The faculty was comprised of dedicated and inspired clinicians and teachers. The names of Campbell H. Graham, Noel D Martin, George Muford, Mark ...... Ken P. McKinnon, David Cameron, and John S. Lyell stand out in our memories.
Professor Arnott also recruited many of the most prominent senior and respected members of the profession (mostly ex military) to augment his staff of instructors.
We remember with great affection such greats as A. Gordon Rowell, Lloyd Crawford, Hector Finney, Anthony Bull, Bruce Alcock, Fred Trebotsch, Rowley Corbett and I see Len Keyte here tonight - he was always helpful to us - "Thank you Len". There were many more dedicated professionals, all of whom gave freely of their time, knowledge, clinical acumen and skill. |
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They taught us far more than just technical dentistry though; they, by their example showed us how Dental Health Care practitioners conducted themselves so that we learnt - How they took the responsibility for our patients' care and welfare, - How our sacred duty was to provide dedicated, conscientious and honest service to all members of the community whether they could pay us or not - How we must always attend a patient in pain - How were must keep up to date with the progress of advancing knowledge, - In fact to be a student for the rest of our lives.
We were also told that the adherence to these principles would earn us the respect of our community and would provide great self-esteem, satisfaction, and fulfilment. They further advised us that while we could live comfortably on the earnings of our labour, we would most probably not become millionaires! |
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Now in speaking for myself in particular, I most gratefully acknowledge that I have been treated most indulgently by the Faculty. I had the great privilege of being personally mentored as a staff member by such masters in the Art and Science of Prosthodontics as C. H. Graham, A.G. Rowell, K. Caisley and F. Trebitsch. The process of mentoring of the clinical and technical skills of young dentists is perhaps the most effective way of developing a cohort of experienced and skilful teachers and practitioners. I (and those of my era) were singularly fortunate because it enabled me to enjoy not only the two magnificent sabbatical years at North Western University Dental School under Professor Ross L. Taylor, but also to be able to participate in the ground-breaking implant programme set up by Professor Iven Klineberg here.
This initiative has proved to be pivotal in the establishment of implant rehabilitation in Australia and to be an exhilarating experience for all who have been exposed to it; both dentists and patients alike. |
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Now where do we stand at this time?
This group of the Class of '51 freely and unreservedly acknowledge that as a result of our admittance to the status of Dental Faculty Alumni, our lives have greatly benefited and have been immeasurably enriched.
We all feel obliged to support the institution in any way in which we may.
We cannot be anything but aware that - Our Alma Mata is presently facing great trials from every direction, but mainly shortages of funding, resources and suitably trained and mentored staff. Some of these may even threaten our it's continued viability. We see it as desperately needing the help and support of all its Alumni
May I, Sir, as the Spokesperson of this group of octogenarians, having partly answered the first question, now pose another, based upon the words of a young American sailor who in his later years might have said "We ask not what our Faculty can do for us but rather what we can do for our Alma Mata in its hour of need".
We believe that we should all take this message to our younger members of the Alumni family and seek their support for our Faculty.
Ladies and Gentlemen, would you please stand to honour this most important toast "The Faculty of Dentistry, and the University of Sydney".
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