Vale Jim Matthews OAM – former National President
27 Oct, 2014
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The Pharmacy Guild of Australia expresses condolences to the family of former National
President and Honorary Life Member Jim Matthews OAM who passed away in Sydney yesterday.
Mr Matthews was a NSW Branch President of the Guild, and served as National President from
1982 until 1990. This was a very demanding and tumultuous time in community pharmacy in
Australia, during which Jim Matthews was a strong and tireless advocate for the profession.
Jim Matthews grew up in Strathfield in Sydney, and was the son of the Strathfield town clerk. He
entered pharmacy through the apprenticeship system of the time, and his first job was at a
pharmacy in Homebush.
He was first elected to the Guild’s National Council in 1970. During his term as National
President, he led community pharmacy towards what would become the first of the modern
Community Pharmacy Agreements.
The Executive Director of the Guild during most of Jim Matthews’ term as National President,
Mr Robert Davies, said today: “Jim was a tenacious fighter on behalf of pharmacists and Guild
Members, and he was a very effective advocate.”
The National President of the Guild, George Tambassis, said: “All at the Guild salute the
commitment and dedication of Jim Matthews who worked so hard to make community pharmacy
the vibrant and crucial health resource it is today.”
“On behalf of the Guild, may I express our condolences to Jim’s wife Margaret, his daughter
Cathy and sons Christopher, Patrick (a Guild member) and David.”
A funeral for Mr Matthews will take place at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Kogarah next Monday 3
November at 10.30am.
Media inquiries: Greg Turnbull 0412 910261
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