UQ's first dean of Veterinary Science dies in Britain aged 86

Profesor Tom Keightley Ewer - the Veterinary Science Faculty's first post-war dean - died on October 3, aged 86.

Professor Ewer was appointed the University of Queensland's first professor of animal husbandry in 1950, leaving in 1961 to become professor of animal husbandry at the University of Bristol in Britain.

As dean of the University of Queensland's Veterinary Science Faculty from 1950 to 1954, Professor Ewer succeeded in finding staff, buildings and equipment for the increasingly popular five-year degree course.

In a personal tribute, School of Veterinary Science dean Professor Keith Hughes said Professor Ewer had made 'a great contribution' in the field of veterinary science, describing him as a distinguished ambassador during his time at the University.

Also actively engaged in research into sheep problems, particularly nutrition, Professor Ewer obtained support from the Australian Wool Research Committee to erect a new Experimental Sheep House at the University Farm in 1959.

Professor Ewer's special interests included animal physiology, animal hygiene and veterinary parasitology. His expertise was recognised by two assignments with the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) to increase animal production in Venezuela (1955) and Burma (1958).

Before joining the University he was supervisor of the Farm and Experimental Animal Unit at Cambridge University's Animal Pathology Department, also lecturing in animal hygiene. He was also senior lecturer in veterinary science at Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, New Zealand from 1946 to 1947.

Professor Ewer was a founding member, and first Queensland president, of the Australian Society of Animal Production. He was later federal president. He also served on the Federal Council of the Australian Veterinary Association, as president of the Queensland division; and was president of the Royal Society of Queensland, the State's oldest scientific society.

Other contributions included chairing the ABC's Queensland Advisory Committee and executive positions in several organisations devoted to music.

Migrating to Australia from Britain in 1928, at the age of 17, he graduated bachelor of veterinary science from the University of Sydney, proceeding to Cambridge where he gained a PhD in 1949.

His funeral was on October 9, in Somerset, Britain.

For more information contact Professor Keith Hughes on telephone 07 3365 2784.