David Penington Obituary

David Geoffrey Penington AC was a distinguished Australian doctor, academic, Vice-Chancellor and director. Penington was born on 4 February 1930 and died on 6 January 2023. He was 92 years.

Penington 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 worked in the United Kingdom at the London Hospital between 1957 and 1967, and also in Harley Street until 1967.

He was the Professor of Medicine from 1970 to 1987 at the University of Melbourne, and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine between 1978 and 1985.

He chaired a Committee of Inquiry into the 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.

Penington also held other positions vital to efficient healthcare delivery, including:

• 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);
• 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); and
• Chairman Bionic Vision Australia (2009–2013).

For his services in the field of medical education and healthcare delivery, Penington was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the 1988 Australia Day Honours.