Perth businessman and philanthropist Ted Powell at Murdoch University.
“I felt it’d be wrong to allocate significant sums to any individual or to burden somebody else with the responsibility of disposing of my assets.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who’s been able to accumulate wealth to consider responsible ways to give back.
“I hope that my gift to Murdoch will inspire others. A good education is a gift to last a lifetime.”
Vice Chancellor Professor Andrew Deeks said Powell’s “extraordinary act of generosity” would help ensure WA continued its role as a leading hub for animal research, teaching and training.
“Like many skilled professions, there is a shortfall of veterinarians in Australia, an expanded capacity to train more will deliver real benefits to the profession itself, to our community and to the agricultural and livestock industries,” he said.
“Veterinary Medicine was one of 10 foundation courses offered by Murdoch when we opened 50 years ago.
“The discipline has advanced significantly over that time, as have the safety requirements for biological laboratories and animal facilities.
“The new facility will improve the safety and wellbeing of staff, students and animals alike.”
Tertiary Education Minister Tony Buti said the gift was “by far the biggest single donation to any university in Western Australia”.
“Vet science was always going to be the pinnacle, the cornerstone of the university,” he said.
“You couldn’t have picked a better discipline to put the investment in.
“Veterinary science is incredibly important. It’s not only important to lovers of animals … but it’s important to our economy.
“To have the only vet school in Western Australia receive this impetus … will set it up for the next 100 years.”
Dean of Veterinary Medicine Henry Annandale said demand for the vet course was high, with around 650 students applying every year but space for just 105.
The new facility will allow for 150 students each year to earn a spot.
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“There’s a shortage of veterinarians across Australia,” Annandale said.
“That tends to be a global issue too, and that became especially pertinent after covid, where lots of people bought extra animals when they were perhaps isolated.
“There’s greater realisation of the emotional support that our pets provide for us, and the absolutely critical role that veterinarians play.”
Deeks said the development would strengthen research in animal health and the university’s One Health agenda – recognising the links between human, animal and environmental health; expand biomedical research collaborations and attract high calibre academics, students and other animal specialists.
“On behalf of Murdoch University, I cannot thank Ted Powell enough for his generosity, support and foresight,” Deeks said.
“He will leave a legacy for the Western Australian veterinary profession, animal research – and for animals great and small – which will resonate for generations to come.”
The build will likely take three to four years to complete.
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