The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners

It is 30 years since the first Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Honorary Fellowship was given to His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

Although the royal title was granted to the College in 1979, it was not until two years later when the Prince Philip visited New Zealand that he was presented Honorary Fellowship of the College.

The first Honorary Fellowship was presented to Prince Philip by then College President Dr Peter Anyon at Government House, Wellington on 15 October 1981. In the 30 years following the Duke of Edinburgh’s Honorary Fellowship, 31 others have been granted the title of Honorary Fellow.

Honorary Fellowship is awarded by the RNZCGP Council to individuals of distinction who cannot be Fellows of the RNZCGP, but who have made an outstanding contribution to the cause of general practice or to the medical profession in general – they need not be graduates of medicine.

Other recipients include: Ashton Fitchett (OBE), Eric Elder (CBE), Douglas Goodfellow and Lotte Newman (CBE). RNZCGP President Dr Harry Pert says the College has written to Prince Philip congratulating him on the 30^th anniversary of his Honorary Fellowship.

“It’s incredible to believe that it was 30 years ago that the first Fellowship was awarded. The College has seen many changes since then but Honorary Fellowship remains a significant honour and measure of distinction.”

Dr Tom Farrar (College President 1994-1995) was present at the ceremony in 1981. He remembers the occasion well.

“President Peter Anyon presented Prince Philip with a College gown and he put it on his shoulders and then received his diploma of Fellowship.

“He responded, with his renowned dry sense of humour, that he was grateful for the gown and the honour but he had a wardrobe full of gowns at BuckinghamPalace so rather than take it home to London he’d leave it with the College for later use.”