The Australian Board of Vellore Christian College and Hospital celebrates it’s 50th anniversary in 1996. The Board was established on 10th July 1956 at the request of Dr. John S. Carman, the Director of CMC&H at that time, to co-ordinate the activities of the various state branches of Friends of Vellore. For many years the board was based around the Sydney Friends of Vellore. Over the years, the Board has evolved into a truly national organisation with representation from various states of the country.
The Annual General Body meeting of the Board is held at different capital cities of the states in rotation. Delegates from the various state groups of Friend of Vellore and Alumni attend the meeting to discuss the activities of the board. The executive is elected from among the delegates. The last AGM was at Brisbane on 27th August 2011. Dr. Lionel Gnanaraj, Medical Superintendent of CMC was the chief guest.
All donations to the work done at Vellore which are collected by the various FOV groups are channeled through the treasurer of the Board. The donations to the ‘Vellore Christian Medical College and Hospital Support fund’ are Tax deductible and sent to Vellore for various activities, but majority of this money is deposited into the Endowment Fund, which contributes to medical care for the very poor.
The Executive Committee (2011 – 2012)
President: Prof Ian Olver
He is the Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Council Australia, based in Sydney. He also holds the position as the Clinical Professor of Cancer Care, Department of Medicine, University of Sydney. Prior to being appointed as the CEO of Cancer Council, he had an illustrious career in Adelaide as Clinical Director, Cancer Centre, Royal Adelaide Hospital and Professor, Cancer Care, University of Adelaide. Originally he came from Melbourne.
He is a world renowned medical oncologist and has written more than 180 articles and 16 book chapters.
Ian has a long standing relationship with Vellore. Soon after he moved from Melbourne to Adelaide to become the Director of Medical oncology, he was approached by late Dr. Vigeneswaran about training a medical oncologist for CMC Vellore. In Mid 90s Dr. Raju Titus Chacko was identified as the person to be trained and Ian visited CMC for the first time in 1995 to see the place and to meet Dr. Chacko. That was the beginning of the ongoing connection with CMC. Raju came to Adelaide and was trained under him. Ian visited Vellore for the opening of the Oncology department in 2002.Since then Ian and his wife Jenny regularly visit Vellore for council meetings, consultation and also to encourage the work done in the Oncology department.
He was the chairman of the South Australian FOV before becoming first, the vice president and then the president of the Australian Vellore Board, 5 years ago.
Recently, on the Australia day, he was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to medical oncology as a clinician, researcher, administrator and mentor, and to the community through leadership roles with cancer control organisations.
Vice President: Dr. Bella George
Dr. Bella George (nee Mathai) is a medical graduate of CMC Vellore (batch of 65). She and her husband live in Brisbane, Qld. Bella is a specialist physician in Venereology and works in the Brisbane sexual health services. Tom is a psychiatrist. Bella has been an active member of the Queensland Friends of Vellore for many years. She was the vice chairman for quite a few years before taking over as chairman from Rev. John Hooper, 8 years ago. She held that position until the end of 2010. Bella is very pro active in the affairs of CMC alumni in Australia.
Secretary: Mr. John Rothwell
John Rothwell has been involved with FOV, Board and Vellore for many years. He was recruited into the fold of the FOV by late Reg Walker in 60s and he and his wife Sally, both Pharmacist, went to Vellore in 70s and worked in the Department of Pharmacy at CMCH for many years. Since they returned, he has been very active in the then Sydney FOV which later became the Australian Vellore Board. He is the back bone of the NSW FOV and has been the secretary of the board for the past 6 years.
At present he is working as the chief pharmacist at St, John of God Hospital in Burwood, Sydney.
Treasurer: Mr Richard Caitens
Richard Caitens has been the treasurer of the board for more than 12 years. He has been involved with the Qld FOV for a longer period and has been their treasurer during that time. he is an accountant by profession and at present working as the financial controller for Quinn & Scattini, Lawyers in Brisbane.
His wife Susanna is a teacher and they have 3 children – 2 girls and a boy. Richard visited Vellore for the first time early this year representing the Board at the council meeting.
Publicity Officer: Dr. Stephen Aseervatham
Stephen is a Vellore graduate ( batch of 61) and has been involved with the board, NSW FOV and Australian Alumni Association for many years. He served one term as the Board’s secretary and took over the position as the publicity officer and managing the web site, 6 years ago.
He is a semi-retired (!) anaesthetist and lives with his wife Vimalini, a GP, in Newcastle.