Professor David de Kretser AC

Governor of Victoria

The Governors of Victoria have been supporting OzChild in the capacity of Patron since it was formed through amalgamation of agencies in 1993.

Professor de Kretser, Victoria's 27^th Governor, migrated to Australia as a nine year old.  He is a world renowned medical researcher and the foundation director of the Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development and of Andrology Australia.  He is one of Australia's most significant medical researchers, with an international reputation in the field of reproductive biology.  His contribution to medical research was acknowledged in 2000 when Professor de Kretser was admitted as an Officer of the Order of Australia.  The former Premier of Victoria, Steve Bracks once quoted that Professor de Kretser had "helped countless men become fathers".

The Premier noted that the having Professor de Kretser represent the State of Victoria internationally was particularly appropriate in moving Victoria to be one of the most innovative states in relation to new technologies, particularly biotechnology.

Professor de Kretser is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and, in 1996, was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.  He has a long and distinguished record in public life, servicing as a teacher and administrator and a member of education and research boards.