Remembering Peter Howson – committed to building a brighter future

4 Feb 2009

The man behind rebuilding the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital to the world leading institution it is today has died February 1 aged 89.

Peter Howson joined the hospital’s Management Committee in 1951 and in 1956 he became President of the Committee.

It was through this role he worked tirelessly to rejuvenate the hospital to achieve his vision for an institution concerned with each of the senses, and to create a facility that would house this dream and consolidate closer links between research and clinical care.

This was all done while still working as a federal member of parliament.

In 1963 a committee was established to raise funds for a new building and to mark the centenary of the hospital – a committee Peter Howson chaired. In 1974 the Peter Howson Wing opened in recognition of the former president’s work.

He was committed to fundraising growth and established endowments for research, clinical practice and major capital works.

He was intrinsic in establishing the William Gibson Chair of Otolaryngology with the University of Melbourne in 1967 - the only chair in Otolaryngology in Australia. It was through this relationship, the University Of Melbourne Department Of Otolaryngology was established at the hospital and the bionic ear was created by the first recipient of the Chair, Professor Graeme Clark.

It was an honour that Peter Howson was able to see the appointment of Professor Stephen O’Leary as the new Chair last year and to celebrate the cochlear implant’s 30th birthday.

Peter Howson played a key role in seeking royal patronage for the hospital, when in 1963 the Queen granted her permission for the hospital to be known as the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

He resigned from his role as the President of the hospital’s Management Committee in 1964 but then went on to serve as Chairman of the Board from 1980 to 1982.

For 31 years, Peter Howson was committed to building a hospital dedicated to the senses and a leading institute for eye and ENT health and research.

It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Peter Howson but know that his legacy lives on at the Eye and Ear

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