The Hon. Emeritus Prof. Peter Baume has been a distinguished figure in academia, politics, and healthcare, holding a multitude of esteemed roles throughout his illustrious career.

Baume graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery in 1959 and went on to specialize in gastroenterology at Royal North Shore Hospital after studying in the UK and the USA.

After entering politics, he was elected as Senator for New South Wales in 1974, representing the Liberal Party. He served as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs (1980–1982) and Minister for Education (1982–1983) and briefly served as Minister for Health in 1982 in the Fraser government.

In the realm of healthcare, Prof. Baume has contributed significantly, serving as a Consulting Physician, Professor of Community Medicine and Head of the School of Community Medicine at the University of New South Wales from 1991 to 2000. He also held the positions of Deputy-Chair of the Australian National Council on AIDS, Chair of the Federal Inquiry into Radiation Oncology, and Councillor at Cumberland College of Health Sciences. Furthermore, he contributed to the Social Issues and Ethics Committees of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the NRMA Clean Air Committee. Additionally, he chaired the NSW Branch of the Public Health Association and the Drug Offensive Council of NSW, and he was the Foundation Chair of the Australian Sports Drug Agency from 1991 to 1999.

Prof. Baume's contributions also extend to editorial roles, serving as the Chair of the Editorial Board for Modern Medicine of Australia.

His commitment to public service is further evidenced by his roles in various committees, including the Australian Law Reform Commission, as Director of Sydney Water from 1998 to 2005, and directorial positions at Australian Water Technologies from 2001 to 2004.

His other leadership positions included Chancellor of The Australian National University from 1994 to 2006 and Membership on the Council at the Australian National University in various capacities from 1986-90 and 1991-2006.

He is currently a Conjoint and Honourable Emeritus Professor at the University of New South Wales and plays a role as a Facilitator for Medicine phase 1 students at the University.

In the academic realm, he has published extensively, including 13 books, 14 chapters in books, a doctoral thesis, 79 articles in refereed journals, 30 letters, forewords, and book reviews, 42 other medical publications, 20 parliamentary committee reports, 26 abstracts, 44 conference proceedings, and 33 articles in newspapers. He has delivered 25 named orations, given 16 occasional graduation addresses, 61 academic speeches, 43 keynote speeches, and 393 other speeches. He is an assessor for the NHMRC and ARC, a reviewer for four journals, has won three named scholarships, has obtained 7 competitive grants, and has supervised and/or examined 11 graduate students.

He also currently serves as the Patron of the Dying With Dignity Association of New South Wales.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia in 1992 and later elevated to Companion status in 2008.