The Arthur E. Mills Oration promotes and encourages medical education and general culture, and the dissemination of knowledge.

The Oration acknowledges the late Prof Arthur E. Mills (1865–1940) who died less than two years after the inauguration of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, of which he was a Foundation Fellow.

The Arthur E Mills Medal is awarded at the RACP Convocation Ceremony and isn't given every year, underscoring the importance and honour of those invited to speak.

Life and achievements

He became a resident medical officer at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital which had been opened in 1882 for the reception of patients. He became demonstrator in anatomy at Sydney University in 1890 – the first Sydney graduate to hold this appointment.

Later he went to Picton in general practice. In 1894 he moved to Strathfield where he practised for 14 years. In 1910 he moved his practice to Macquarie Street. He rejoined the University teaching staff and became an assistant physician at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He served for a short time in the Australian Imperial Force.

Arthur Mills became professor of medicine in 1920, a position he held until he retired in 1930, and from 1920 to 1925 he was also Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. He was a fellow of the University Senate and from 1937 to 1939 was deputy Chancellor. In these positions he earned the respect of many persons of influence both within and outside the University. He was cultured, strong in argument, but kindly and never without humour. Those who responded to his teaching methods (and most did) became his friends for life, and his influence on medicine in New South Wales was great.

Arthur Edward Mills died, at the age of 75, less than two years after the inauguration of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians of which he was a foundation Fellow.

He married Ida Cecilie Archibald early in his career and they had four children. She died many years before him and in 1932 he married Helen Garvan, who after his death endowed the Mills Oration and the Mills Library Fund in his memory.

Past orations

Explore a full list of recipients and their lectures from 1951 to today.