Ready to step back in time? The Old Microbiology Building stands before us a silent witness to Melbourne’s fight against disease. This building at the University of Melbourne Parkville campus has a fascinating history. It reflects the city’s transformation from “Marvellous Smellbourne” to a modern metropolis.
Melbourne’s rapid growth after the gold rush led to sanitation problems. Waste and water management were inadequate. Typhoid and other infectious diseases were rampant. The Royal Commission into the Sanitary State of Melbourne investigated these issues. Auguste de Bavay claimed to have found the typhoid organism in Melbourne’s water. This caused a scandal embarrassing the water suppliers and the government.
Oscar Katz was brought from Sydney to investigate de Bavay’s claims. He could not disprove them but found no evidence of typhoid. Allen from the Department of Pathology recommended a Bacteriological Institution. However, the government declined due to financial problems. Instead, Allen appointed Dr. Thomas Cherry to his department. Cherry was a medical graduate with a strong interest in bacteriology.
In 1929, the Department of Bacteriology was established. A Chair in Bacteriology followed in 1934. The department’s creation was driven by public health concerns both medical and veterinary. It addressed the infectious diseases plaguing Melbourne.
The School of Microbiology was established in 1965. The former Department of Bacteriology moved to this new building. It was near Royal Parade and Grattan Street. The name “School of Microbiology” was chosen as it had two sections. One section was on the main campus and the other was at the Austin Hospital.
Professor Syd Rubbo opposed sub-departments at the Austin Hospital. He worried about the cost. In 1975, the subjects were repositioned ending the need for the “School of Microbiology” designation.
In 1997, the name changed to the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Today, the department continues to teach and research bacteriology. It also studies virology, immunology, and biotechnology.
The Old Microbiology Building houses important units. The Microbiological Diagnostic Unit monitors community health. It tracks rates of sexually transmitted diseases. The Media Preparation Unit produces microbiological culture media. This media assesses microbiological activity in various products.
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is one of Australia’s largest centers. It includes many research groups studying diverse topics. These range from AIDS immunology to synthetic vaccine design.
So as you pass the Old Microbiology Building remember its vital role. It helped Melbourne overcome its past sanitation challenges. It also continues to contribute to public health and scientific research. It stands as a testament to the ongoing fight against disease.