Vale Emeritus Professor Glenn Bowes AO

Vale Emeritus Professor Glenn Bowes AO (2 November 1948 – 16 January 2025): A Pioneering Leader and Mentor

The Faculty pays tribute to Professor Glenn Bowes AO, Emeritus Professor of Paediatrics, whose pioneering work, generosity of spirit, visionary leadership and profound commitment to improving lives left an indelible mark on the University, his friends and colleagues and especially on his patients and their families.

Professor Glenn Bowes AO smiling facing the camera in a robe

Glenn graduated with an MBBS and PhD from Monash University and completed postdoctoral training in respiratory medicine at the University of Toronto. He made pioneering contributions at the Alfred Hospital, establishing Australia's first adult cystic fibrosis program, he also established the Lung Transplant program. Both initiatives were groundbreaking at the time. Glenn was then recruited to the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, where he founded the nation's first academic program in youth health as the inaugural Professor of Adolescent Health.

Over 16 years at the Royal Children's Hospital, Glenn held pivotal roles including Chief Medical Officer, Executive Director, University of Melbourne Stevenson Chair of Paediatrics and Head of the Department of Paediatrics. His innovative leadership transformed adolescent health nationally. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Melbourne Children’s Campus. Within the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, Glenn served as Associate Dean for Engagement, and then Deputy Dean, and, fittingly, upon retiring in 2019, the University appointed Glenn as an Emeritus Professor.

At Melbourne, Glenn's impact extended far beyond his formal roles as a mentor across the University and its partners. His leadership was guided by an unwavering commitment to moral clarity – asking "what is the right thing to do?" His integrity was an ever-present guidepost.

Glenn was one of the Faculty's most significant allies for Indigenous development this century. He worked hand-in-glove with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders over decades, leveraging his institutional knowledge and influence to drive meaningful partnership and change. Glenn deeply understood his responsibility as an ally; taking Indigenous advocacy as an obligation and seeing the transformative potential of genuine collaboration.

This moral clarity framed all considerations, and was grounded in a recognition of the University's colonial history and need for reparative measures. Glenn was a seminal mentor to the Faculty's Aboriginal staff and leaders, including as Chair of the Poche Centre's Advisory Board. His legacy is that of an ally who advanced Indigenous development through true partnership and listening.

Glenn’s commitment to supporting and mentoring others extended to every aspect of his career. As Head of the Respiratory Medicine at the Alfred, he would always work to ensure students were included in his staff catchups, such was his determination to help others grow. He gathered and nurtured others, encouraging them to find places far beyond their imagined boundaries and to shine anywhere they could, and should, making a positive difference in this world. He was trusting, empowered others and had the ability to inspire the best in people.

In his role as Deputy Dean, Glenn provided strategic leadership across advancement, engagement, alumni, and international activities. Chairing key committees, he stewarded the Faculty's charitable trusts and global strategy. Under Glenn's leadership, the Faculty raised over $300 million through philanthropy – a testament to his ability to connect donors with researchers and teams driving critical advancements in health and wellbeing. Glenn played a pivotal role in facilitating the extraordinary gifts from Pamela Galli AO to establish collaborative research chairs and programs across the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct exemplifying his impact in this area. This work was made possible by his strategic guidance and steadfast commitment to multidisciplinary approaches that extended far beyond his medical background.

Beyond his medical career, Glenn generously served the community through board roles with organisations including Mentone Grammar, Lord Somers Camp, Very Special Kids, Anglicare and youth services.

An innovative leader, generous mentor and deeply caring human being, Glenn's vision, integrity and commitment to empowering youth will leave a legacy. The University celebrates his incredible spirit and impact on generations of young lives.

We extend our deepest condolences to Glenn’s wife and faculty member, Professor Jo Douglass, his children William, Sarah, Charlie, Matthew and Julia, his wider family and many friends and colleagues who will miss him greatly.