Renowned pharmacy leader awarded Monash Honorary Doctorate
L-R: Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Dean Professor Arthur Christopoulos FAA FAHMS, President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Gardner AC, Dr Alistair Lloyd AO, Deputy Chancellor The Hon Peter Young AM KC
Highly respected pharmacist, Alistair Lloyd AO RFD ED FPS, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Laws; Honoris Causa), the highest accolade from Monash University.
The Honorary Degree was conferred on Dr Lloyd during a ceremony at the University’s Parkville campus last week.
Dr Lloyd was recognised for his many outstanding and valuable contributions to the pharmacy profession as a community pharmacist and in various senior leadership roles with the Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria and the profession.
An alumnus and long-time friend of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr Lloyd completed his qualification to be registered as a pharmacist at the Faculty (then known as the Victorian College of Pharmacy) in 1955.
While maintaining a community pharmacy practice in Geelong, he served on the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria as an executive member. Dr Lloyd was also President during the formative years of the College as it settled into its new Parkville site and developed into a modern tertiary education Institution.
Dr Alistair Lloyd AO delivering his address at the Honorary Degree Conferral Ceremony at Cossar Hall in Monash University Parkville campus.
Dr Lloyd’s leadership positions in the Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria, Pharmacy Board of Victoria and the College saw him deeply involved in the College’s journey from being a small independent tertiary Institution, to eventually becoming the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Monash University.
In 1998, he formed and Chaired the Victorian College of Pharmacy Foundation, with support from then-Dean Professor Colin Chapman and subsequently Dean Professor Bill Charman. Dr Lloyd retired from this role in 2017.
Professor Arthur Christopoulos FAA FAHMS, current Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, said that Dr Lloyd had made an immense contribution to the field of pharmacy, and to the many students and staff who have passed through Monash University’s doors.
“We cannot overstate the impact of Dr Lloyd’s work and dedication over many decades to University life, the pharmacy profession and the countless community members he helped through his pharmacy practice and his selfless generosity,” Professor Christopoulos said.
Monash University President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Margaret Gardner AC, said it was a privilege to honour Dr Lloyd, who she described as “a renowned Australian pharmacy industry stalwart and champion”.
Dr Lloyd's family was in attendance, including his wife, Mrs Shirley Lloyd OAM.
Professor Gardner said Dr Lloyd played a significant role in the formation of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, which has gone on to become an education and research powerhouse of the University.
“We’re here to honour Mr Lloyd because he believed over a long period of time that this campus and this Faculty would make a real difference, and he contributed to enable it to make a difference,” she said before the award was conferred.
An active member of the Australian Army Reserve for 30 years, Dr Lloyd retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He received the Efficiency Decoration (ED) and the Reserve Force Decoration (RFD).
Dr Lloyd was awarded the inaugural Australian Pharmacist of the Year award by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia in 1996 and received a Monash University Alumni Service Award in 2008.
In the Australia Day 2001 Honours list, Dr Lloyd was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for “service to the pharmacy profession and patient care through integration of pharmacy, medical and nursing services, and for improving labelling on medications and standardising prescription conventions”.
The Alistair Lloyd Scholarship for Excellence and Leadership, established by Monash University in his honour, supports high-achieving and community-focused students with strong leadership capabilities to reach their full potential.
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