Brownless Medal

The Brownless Medal—named after Sir Anthony Colling Brownless, founder of the Melbourne Medical School—recognises eminent individuals who, through their diligence and leadership, have ensured the growth and positioning of the Melbourne Medical School as a world leader in medical teaching and training, health research, policy and practice.

Established in 2012 as part of celebrations marking the School’s 150^th anniversary, the inaugural Brownless Medal award ceremony recognised five former heads of the Melbourne Medical School.

Key dates for 2026

Monday 16 March 2026: Nominations open
Monday 20 April 2026: Final nominations, sponsored by a Head of Department, to be submitted to mms-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au
Final quarter 2026: Award recipient announced

The Brownless Medal may be awarded to a person/or persons of probity who meet the following criteria:

Is an alumnus or an alumna (including honorary), or a past or present honorary or paid staff member of the Melbourne Medical School; and
Has made a contribution to the Melbourne Medical School of such exceptional distinction to have led transformational change in:
- The practice of medicine through the development and application of new knowledge and/or
- The teaching and learning of medicine and/or
- The school’s engagement with and standing in the global community.

1. Nominations sought from Department Heads
The Head of the Melbourne Medical School (MMS) invites Heads of Departments of MMS to nominate for the Brownless Medal award. The Head of the Melbourne Medical School and the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences may also choose to make a nomination.

2. Nominations submitted to the Head of the Melbourne Medical School
Nominations consisting of a one-page citation and a current curriculum vitae are made to the Head of the Melbourne Medical School. Nominations are made and considered in confidence, and the person being nominated will not be informed of the submission being made.

3. Nominations considered by the MMS Executive Committee
The MMS Executive Committee meet to consider the nominations.

4. Recommendations by the MMS Executive Committee
The MMS Executive Committee considers the nominations and determines whether to make a recommendation, via the Dean, to the Council Governance and Nominations Committee for the award of a Brownless Medal.

5. Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences approves recommendation
MMS Executive Committee presents the recommendation to the Dean for approval. The Dean considers the nomination and determines whether to endorse, and to recommend to Governance and Nomination Council for endorsement of the award of a Brownless Medal.

6. Endorsement by the Governance and Nominations COmmittee and approval by Council
The Dean submits a recommendation to the Governance and Nominations Committee to endorse the award of a Brownless Medal, consisting of:

A cover sheet
A one-page citation
A curriculum vitae

The Governance and Nominations Committee considers the nominations and determine whether to endorse, and to recommend to Council for approval, the award of a Brownless Medal.

7. Notification to Recipients
Upon endorsement by the Governance and Nominations Committee and approval by Council, the Dean notifies the recipient who is presented with a Brownless Medal by the Chancellor at an appropriate ceremony in the presence of the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences and the Head of the Melbourne Medical School.

Step 1. Discuss your suggested nomination with the relevant Head of Department for consideration.

Step 2. Submit a final nomination, sponsored by the relevant Head of Department, to mms-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au by COB Monday 20 April 2026. Nominations must include the following:

one-page citation; and
a current curriculum vitae

Please note: Nominations should address the eligibility criteria outlined in the Nominations Guidelines. Nominations will only be considered for a person who meets the Nomination Guidelines.

The final nominations will be considered via the MMS School Executive Committee, Chaired by Professor Sarath Ranganathan - Head of the Melbourne Medical School. All Heads of Department sit on the MMS Executive Committee. Nominations recommended by the MMS School Executive Committee will be referred to the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. The Dean will determine whether to endorse the nominations, and to recommend to the Governance and Nomination Council for endorsement of the award of a Brownless Medal.