The greying of the professions: Cunningham Memorial address, NZVA Conference 1982

Authors: Elliott RE
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 30, Issue 7, pp 89-92, Jul 1982
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: General
Subject Terms: History, Veterinary profession
Article class: General Article

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Abstract: In this, the Ira Cunningham Memorial Lecture, I will not detail all the Professor`s achievements. He did so much so well, that I would be hard put to do justice to his record in the time available. What I will do is reflect on his professionalism and on the way he took that professionalism out to work in society. Not too long ago professions were seen in black and white terms. Each set of practitioners not only provided recognizable skills but was also expected to move from that base of competence out to influence, advise and support society in a general sense. The image of professions is greyer today. The bases of competence are secure. This is where the professions have grown. The range of skills practitioners can bring to bear on problems of the individual has broadened and deepened in an impressive way. At the same time though, the capacity of professions to act collectively as an organization has not increased to cope with problems in a society becoming more diverse and more complex…

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