Pharmacy Daily | Blackmores’ $10m generosity

SOUTHERN Cross University has accepted a $10 million donation from Marcus and Caroline Blackmore (PD yesterday), with the personal gift setting a new record for generosity to the institution.

Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker, pictured at a ceremony yesterday with the Blackmores at which the money was signed over, said it would be used to establish an "internationally-recognised centre of excellence in naturopathic education and associated research".

The new National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine would see Southern Cross become the first Australian university to offer higher education qualifications in naturopathy, enabling it to provide distinctive career pathways and ongoing development for the profession, as well as an increased research capability.

Marcus Blackmore said the new centre helped honour a final wish of his father, the late Maurice Blackmore, that naturopathy be properly respected as a profession.

"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.

"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 response," Blackmore said.

The Blackmores executive director has had a long association with the university, receiving an honorary doctorate in 2006 and also serving on the Southern Cross University Foundation board.

Blackmore has seen his personal worth soar in recent years along with other major investors in the company that bears his name.

He owns about 23% of Blackmores Limited, with the overall company currently valued at just over $2.1 billion putting his stake at in excess of $500 million.

Professor Shoemaker said work would begin immediately, with the new centre to open in 2019.