Dr Sally Cockburn video

Voice-over: "In the three decades since graduating in Medicine, Melbourne GP and media commentator Dr Sally Cockburn (pronounced CO-burn) has been consistently engaged with the Monash community as a volunteer, teacher and board member. Dr Cockburn was a member of the Monash University Medical Foundation Board of Management for seven years. She is also chair of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences alumni committee."

Sally Cockburn: "It’s an interesting question to ask me what motivates me to give my time because I don’t really know the answer. It’s just something I have to do. I suppose I look back at my family heritage and they’ve all been givers to the community but why to Monash? I suppose young people are very important and I had a fabulous time at university and throughout my training and I’ve never had any problems but I know some people do. What I do every year is come and talk to the students with John Murtagh at the Orientation week and I really think it’s an important thing to do. To try and allow these students to feel confident to realise they can talk to people. So by giving back to the university in that way I feel I might make a contribution to improving their lives a little bit.

Voice-over: "Dr Cockburn has taught Monash medicine students as a senior lecturer, regularly chairs meetings, and is a popular speaker and moderator at key Monash alumni and student events. She is also a patron of many charities. In 2010 Dr Cockburn was recognised for this leadership by being added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women."

Sally Cockburn: "Monash was such a nurturing place to be a student. You felt like you belonged; you felt like you were part of the team and I just love that atmosphere. The advice I would give to the Monash graduates coming up this year is the same as I the one that I gave them in first year and also the one that Rod Andrew, our foundation professor, and I think the ethos of Monash which is: never accept the truth on its merits, always ask why, don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe in and know that you’re gorgeous."

Voice-over: "Monash University commends Dr Sally Cockburn’s significant and ongoing contribution and commitment to Monash University and its students."

Description: Dr Sally Cockburn MBBS (1992) Distinguished Alumni Service Award 2010

Video ends.