History
The University of Melbourne was established in 1853 and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2003. Veterinary education first started in Melbourne in 1888 at a private Veterinary College in Fitzroy following the passing of the Veterinary Surgeons Act in December 1887. This was the first Act passed in Australia to regulate the standards of veterinary education. The course established in 1888 was one of the first in the English speaking world to be given over four years. The course was transferred to the University of Melbourne in 1908 when the University Veterinary School and Veterinary Research Institute were established in Parkville. The School operated until 1928, but the Veterinary Research Institute continued to become the key veterinary diagnostic laboratory in Victoria until 1991. In 1963, the Veterinary School re-opened in response to requests from Victoria's animal industries to the State Government for more locally trained veterinarians. This current School has a Preclinical Centre in Parkville, and a Clinical Centre at Werribee that has been operational since 1966. The dairy farms around Werribee were attended by veterinarians from the Clinical Centre until 1975 when the contract arrangements for producing fresh milk for the city ended. In 1978 practical teaching in dairy cattle medicine was transferred to Maffra. The Veterinary Clinic and Hospital commenced operation as a separate Department in the Faculty of Veterinary Science from 1986. Its operations have grown with the increasing demand for referral services in small animal medicine and surgery, and equine medicine and surgery. The Western Animal Emergency Centre has provided 24hr care for injured small animals from 1992, and in 2002 the first stage of the new Equine Centre at Werribee was opened.
For all enquiries contact: The Veterinary Clinic and Hospital |
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