Interview6 UQ Contact WINTer <strong>2013</strong>
A man <strong>of</strong>many passionsThanks to the generosity <strong>of</strong> alumnus Dr Paul Eliadis,UQ is set to host Australia’s newest Chair in Classics and Ancient History.Like his ancient Greek ancestors,medical specialist Dr PaulEliadis is convinced thatknowledge is at the root <strong>of</strong>freedom and democracy.“The greatest danger any society faces ishaving its population uneducated in a broadway,” he said.“We need people who can read, whocan come to their own conclusions and nothave the wool pulled over their eyes or fallprey to demagogues and propaganda.“Universities are very special institutionsthat need to be devoted to learning, not justturning people out for jobs. As a society, thatis something we must afford.”At 60, Eliadis is at the peak <strong>of</strong> his career.The chain <strong>of</strong> high-pr<strong>of</strong>ile cancer clinics hehelped found (Haematology and OncologyClinics <strong>of</strong> Australia) will celebrate its 25thanniversary this year, supporting an activebody <strong>of</strong> medical research that is exploringpromising avenues in haematology andblood-borne cancer treatment.As well as a devotion to his patients, thereare other passions in his life. His eyes sparklewhen he talks about his love <strong>of</strong> art, particularlythe contemporary Australian paintings andIndigenous works that dominate the PaulEliadis Collection. A number <strong>of</strong> piecesfrom the collection have been gifted to the<strong>Queensland</strong> Art Gallery or hung in prominentpublic locations for all to enjoy.Already a significant donor in bothart and medicine, Eliadis has surpassedhis previous benefaction with a gift toestablish a perpetual Chair in Classics andAncient History at his alma mater, wherehe graduated with a Bachelor <strong>of</strong> Medicine/Bachelor <strong>of</strong> Surgery in 1977 and a Bachelor<strong>of</strong> Science in 1978.In this interview, the senior clinicalhaematologist and oncologist, entrepreneurand patron <strong>of</strong> the arts shares his views withPro-Vice-Chancellor (Advancement) ClarePullar.Clare Pullar (CP): Paul, everyone istalking about your wonderful decision toendow a Chair in Classics and Ancient History.What has brought you to this point – how didyou come to UQ and study medicine?Dr Paul Eliadis (PE): There are a lot <strong>of</strong>jokes about my grandmother and how she mayor may not have influenced me, but she wasalways quite insistent that I was going to be alawyer or a doctor. I don’t know what it is aboutGreek families, but they want their children toget ahead and go to university, even thoughthe parents have rarely seen the inside <strong>of</strong> a highschool. I had not made up my mind betweenlaw and medicine by the time I won a universityscholarship. I ultimately decided on medicinebecause I felt it would be more absolute, morescientific and not open to the whims <strong>of</strong> humanbeings. I was very wrong about that.CP: What do you remember about that timeand who were the significant figures whoshaped you as a young medical student anddoctor?PE: The Dean [Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Eric Saint] wassomeone that we all, as a group, came t<strong>of</strong>eel close to. As the years went on, we got toknow him very well. He was a great teacherand father figure. There was a humanityabout the man that I think defined him.CP: Coming to your interest in the classics,where did that originate?PE: I am Australian, but my heritage isessentially Greek. The ancient Greek historyis something Greek kids grow up with. I enjoyreading and I always find history, particularlythe history <strong>of</strong> Greece and Rome, much moreinteresting than fiction.The classics, in particular Greece andRome, influence us all in Western civilisationno matter what you do. You can just walkthrough Brisbane and it is just there. Thethree main architectural forms <strong>of</strong> Greeceare within a block, between City Hall andthe Eternal Flame. I think the classics willalways remain relevant as long as Westerncivilisation exists.CP: Does your passion for classics helpyou make decisions in your work as anoncologist?PE: There are instances that focus on ourhumanity and I think the classics still guideus in that area. Certainly [as doctors] wetry and make decisions based on evidenceand science, but sometimes you have tomake decisions based on how you feel asa human being.CP: You have been noted for saying that auniversity that doesn’t teach classics is not areal university.PE: To me, any Western university thatdoesn’t have a department that teaches theclassics does not have a birth certificate. It isnot just one faculty that makes a university,they are all important, but to forget aboutwhere you came from is bizarre. I feel veryfortunate and privileged that I found myselfin a position where I could do somethingmeaningful. In the scheme <strong>of</strong> things, it is asmall amount <strong>of</strong> money that will bring backreturns for many generations to come.CP: What advice would you have forsomeone who knows nothing about theclassics but wants to start?PE: If they are at university, I would advisethem to do some units from ancient historyand the classics. For an amateur, who isnot at university, there are a lot <strong>of</strong> beautifulbooks. My favourite is called The Greeks byPr<strong>of</strong>essor Kitto. And <strong>of</strong> course, the originalworks are there to be read – The Iliad, TheOdyssey, The Peloponnesian War. You won’twant to put them down.CP: That’s a lovely place to end thisconversation and thank you again for whatyou are doing for the <strong>University</strong>. It is quitetransformative.To find out more about classics andancient history, visit uq.edu.au/hprcapp• Watch the full conversationon the UQ Contact app.UQ Contact WINTer <strong>2013</strong> 7
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