A restored portrait of Novocastrian innovator and visionary Professor David Maddison was unveiled on Monday, September 17, in the new HMRI Building at the John Hunter campus.

Professor Maddison, the first Dean of Medicine at the University of Newcastle, was a renowned pioneer in the teaching of medicine.

The medical degree he established at the University of Newcastle was the first to be offered at a non-metropolitan university. It was also the first to adopt a novel problem-based learning approach to medicine which is a widely accepted methodology today.

He focused on humanising education in medicine and psychiatry by emphasising a strong focus on community involvement, and his passion for medicine had a lasting impact on his students.

Professor Maddison passed away quite early in life, two years before the first cohort of his students graduated in 1983. A posthumous portrait was commissioned by his students from celebrated Australian artist Judy Cassab.

The David Maddison Building was named after him, as is the Maddison Collaboration for Public Health – currently part of the University’s Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour.

David Maddison’s painting has been restored and his widow, Mary Maddison, unveiled the portrait at 11.30am on Monday.