Vale – Glenn Bowes AO

It is with heartfelt sadness that we share the news of Glenn Bowes AO’s passing on Thursday 16 January 2025.

Glenn was a student at Mentone Grammar from 1958 to 1966, where he served as Head Boy in his final year and was awarded the WS Lesley Award in 1966 for outstanding scholarship, leadership, and sportsmanship. Alongside his classmate, Anthony ‘Tony’ Collins, Glenn was also one of the first two students nominated by the School to participate in the annual Lord Somers Camp and Power House (LSCPH) Big Camp in 1966. In a recent profile, he credited the School with providing an education that inspired his life and career.

He went on to complete both his medical degree and PhD at Monash University, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto, Canada. In 1991, Glenn became Australia’s first Professor of Adolescent Health at the University of Melbourne and Royal Children’s Hospital. As Professor Emeritus of Paediatrics at the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, Glenn remained deeply committed to the health and wellbeing of children and young people throughout his life.

A dedicated member of the Mentone Grammar Board from 2006 until his retirement in 2011, Glenn’s profound understanding of the challenges faced by students and his contributions to the School community were invaluable. His remarkable career in health and academia earned him the inaugural Tony Drinan Medal in 2001, awarded to Mentonians who achieve outstanding success and bring honour to the School and service to the community.

When delivering the 2009 Keith Jones Oration, which honoured his former Headmaster, Glenn shared how a sabbatical leave experience reinforced his belief that the health and wellbeing of young people are largely shaped by their connections with family, school, peers, and community. He also reflected on the lasting lessons from his school years, including a commitment to service and the development of life skills to contribute meaningfully to society.

In 2016, Glenn was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in recognition of his distinguished service to medical education, child health, welfare, and his contributions to government and professional organisations.

As a long-term supporter and former director of Anglicare Victoria, Glenn’s family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to support Anglicare Victoria’s work with vulnerable children and young people. Donations can be made via Working Together for Better.

Glenn’s legacy will continue to inspire us all, and he will be greatly missed. We extend our deepest condolences to Glenn’s partner Professor Jo Douglass AO, his children William, Sarah, Matthew, Julia, and Charlie – and to many friends who will miss him greatly.

(2 November 1948 – 16 January 2025)

Labore et Honore