One of Australia’s leading figures in naturopathic medicine, Marcus Blackmore AM, together with his wife, Caroline, has made a record $10 million personal donation to Southern Cross University.
It is both the largest, single donation ever given to the University and the largest personal gift to a university from The Blackmore Foundation.
For Mr Blackmore the significance lies in the final wish of his father, the late Maurice Blackmore, that Naturopathy be properly recognised and respected as a profession.
“We have a responsibility to respond to the growing health care needs of Australia and evidence-based natural medicine will play an increasingly active role in that regard.”
Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker said the gift would be used to establish a National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine at Southern Cross University to engage in naturopathic medicine higher education, research, and engagement with the profession.
“We aim to establish an internationally-recognised centre of excellence in naturopathic medicine education and associated research. We are proud to be the first Australian university to offer higher education qualifications in Naturopathy.
This will enable Southern Cross to provide distinctive career pathways and ongoing development for the profession, as well as increased research capability,” said Professor Shoemaker.
Mr Blackmore added, “This is a very special day for Caroline and myself, both in helping to achieve my father’s legacy, and my own passion to see the continued advancement of Naturopathic education and critical health research in this country."