Sir Gustav Nossal Statue

Welcome Sir Gustav Nossal  

Recently Nossal High School unveiled our first community arts project, a life-sized bronze statue of our namesake, Sir Gustav Nossal AC.  

The statue, unveiled by Sir Gus himself, commemorates not only his commitment and support of our school, but also his life-long dedication to medical research, especially immunology and his passion for a range of humanitarian causes. 

The statue is the work of internationally celebrated sculptors, Gillie and Marc and is located at the main entrance to the school. The artists have captured the warmth and welcoming nature of Sir Gus as he takes up a relaxed, seated pose ready for a chat with those who pass by. 

The ceremony, which was held on Monday 20 November, was a celebration attended by a range of special guests representing our generous corporate sponsors; Sir Gus’s family; Nossal High School Council, Parents and Friends Association and the Old Nossalonians Association; students, staff and members of the wider Nossal High School community. 

School Council President, Dr John Inns said the project had taken a little longer than first envisaged due to the impact of the pandemic. First launched as a Community Arts Project in 2019, it was originally planned that the statue would be a feature of the school’s 10th Anniversary celebrations in 2020. 

Foundation Principal, Mr Roger Page, reflected on the inspirational and integral role that Sir Gus has played in the history of the school. He noted how Sir Gus was always a welcome guest at the school, often mobbed by students for his autograph and a selfie with the former Australian of the Year. He added that it was very appropriate to have Sir Gus seated on the bench out the front of the school considering how much he enjoyed the opportunity to attend, stop and chat with students, staff and visitors whenever he visited the school that bears his name. In his address, Mr Page also paid tribute to the individuals, organisations and groups who had donated to this significant arts project. The statue has been funded entirely by donations made to see it come to fruition. 

Prior to Sir Gus unveiling the statue, Acting Principal, Ms Tracey Mackin reminded us of some of the many milestones and achievements Sir Gus has had in his life. 

“Sir Gus, like many students in Australian schools throughout the decades, was a member of a family who came to Australia seeking refuge from war and injustice. He excelled at school, graduating Dux of his secondary college ... and beginning his professional training at the University of Sydney." 

Sir Gus then moved to Melbourne to work under the tutelage of Macfarlane Burnett at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute where he conducted the bulk of his career. It was working with Macfarlane Burnett that Sir Gus achieved his PhD at the University of Melbourne and eventually became the Director of WEHI - a post that he held for 31 years.

In subsequent years, he has served as Assistant Professor of Genetics at Stanford University, spent time at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, served as a Special Consultant to the World Health Organisation and also served as Professor of Medical Biology at the University of Melbourne. 

In other appointments, Sir Gus has been President of the Australian Academy of Science, President of the International Union of Immunological Societies, Chairman of the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, Chairman of the committee overseeing the World Health Organisations’ Vaccines & Biologicals Program and Chairman of the Strategic Advisory Council of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Children’s Vaccine Program. He was a member of the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering & Innovation Council, Deputy Chairman of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Global Foundation, a member of the Patrons Council of the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria and a member of the advisory board of the Health Impact Fund. He is a Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Science in America, a Foreign Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy and the Korean Academy of Science and Technology, and a Fellow of the Royal Society, the Royal Society of Victoria, and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and he is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.  

In addition to these many outstanding achievements, he has won numerous international awards, was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1970, was knighted in 1977, became a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1989, was named Australian of the Year in 2000 and featured on a postage stamp in 2002. Sir Gus has an institute of Global Health named after him at the University of Melbourne and has been named one of Australia’s national living treasures. Of course, closer to us at Berwick, he is our beloved namesake, and has been as active in his involvement and as generous with his time at Nossal High School as he has been in all the other areas of his professional life.  

Ms Mackin concluded her comments saying… “that it was with a profound sense of gratitude and admiration that the school now welcome Sir Gus to unveil this latest tribute to his life and work”.  

The gallery of photos above was made possible by student members of the school's AV Team, staff and guests. Click on the image for a larger view.

Our generous sponsors

Nossal High School greatly acknowledges the significant financial support of the following organisations and individuals that have enabled this project to be completed: 

Keith Butler

Project Coordinator