SEWARD, Dr Hugh Galbraith MBBS, DObst, RCOG, FASCP, FASMF, FFSEM(UK) AM
Dr Hugh Seward at Speech Day, 1998.
Dr Hugh Seward, Medical Practitioner, and
College Council Chairman, was appointed to the School Council in November 2004 and elected Chairman in 2007.
Dr Seward trained as a general medical practitioner and commenced practice in Geelong in 1980 where he decided to specialize in sports medicine. In following his allegiance to the Geelong Football Club he became the Club doctor from 1982 to 2006 after working with the Under 19 Teams and the Reserves. Hugh credits his predecessor Dr Kevin Threlfall as his early mentor and a ‘pioneer in sports medicine’. Dr Seward retired from the GFC position but took on the job of medical director of the Commonwealth games Medical Clinic in the athletes village for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. He is currently Executive Officer of the AFL Medical Officers' Association, having been President of the Association for 15 years. He is also a member of the AFL Research Board and a Director of the GFC. Dr Seward continues as a General Practitioner in Geelong.
Hugh was enrolled at the College from 1957 to 1970, demonstrating a distinguished academic and sporting career at the School. He first began rowing in the 8th VIII in 1967 and by 1969 was the stroke for the 1st VIII. That same year he won the Hobday Prize and became a House Prefect of McArthur House. The following year he continued rowing in the 1st VIII, becoming Captain of Boats, but took on a range of extra responsibilities as School Captain and Chairman of the Library Council. That year, he also won the School Music Prize, the Library Prize and the Headmaster's Prize. Among his many other activities at School included membership of the Debating (1970), Library, Music (1969-1970) and Rowing Committees (1969-1970). He was also a Cadet Corps Sergeant-Major in 1970, and the Drum Major of the School Cadet Pipe Band from 1968 to 1970. He was also awarded General School Colours for Umpiring in 1968-1969. His father, Dr David Norman Livingstone attended Carey Grammar School from 1921 to 1930. His great grandfather, Jim Galbraith played football for the Geelong Football Club in 1886.
Hugh's community service was recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours in June 2017 when he became a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia
'for significant service to Australian rules football as a physician, particularly to the prevention and management of injuries.' .
Hugh made the decision to step away from clinical practice in 2021. He has continued his commitment to the medical community and local health and wellbeing, serving as medical advisor at TAC and Worksafe. He is also involved in a number of local organisations, including as Chair of the Active Geelong Board.
He stepped down as Chair of The Geelong College Council in 2020 and Director on the Geelong Football Club board in 2022. Although he continues his involvement at both organisations. He served as Chair of the Belerren Committee.
Service details from the Governor-General's award website (2017):
AFL (Australian Football League):
Chief Executive Officer, AFL Doctors Association, 2007-2016. President, AFL Doctors Association, 1991-2006.
Life Member AFL and AFL Doctors Association. Initiated AFL Injury Survey, 1982.
Founding Member AFL Research Board, 2000-2016. Established AFL Doctors Fellowship program, since 2012. Established AFL Grand Final Symposium, since 1988.
Medical Officer, Indigenous AFL Teams, including Flying Boomerangs and All Stars, 2006- 2010.
Medical Officer, AFL International Rules Team, 1999-2000. Medical Officer, Victorian State of Origin, 1986, 1991.
Geelong Football Club: Medical Officer, 1982-2006.
Chair, Sports Science Committee, 2007-2010. Director, since 2010.
Life Member.
General Practitioner, since 1980.
Sport and Exercise Physician, since 1994.
Medical Research:
Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Monash Injury Research Institute, 2011-2014. Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Federation University, since 2014.
Conjoint Senior Lecturer, Deakin University, since 2016.
Independent Doctor, Illicit Drugs in Sport Program, Australian Sports Commission, 2011- 2014.
Member of Science and Technology in Sport Working Party, Prime Minister's Science and Technology and Innovation Council, 2004.
Presenter, Advanced team Physician Course, International Olympic Committee, France 2014.
Commonwealth Games:
Director, Games Village Medical Services, Melbourne 2006. Medical Officer, Delhi 2010, Glasgow 2014.
Medical Officer, Commonwealth Youth Games, India 2008.
Fellow, Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians, 1994. Fellow, Sports Medicine Australia, 1995.
Fellow, Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine, United Kingdom, 2007.
Chair, The Geelong College School Council, since 2007 and Director, since 2004.
The Geelong College Company Statement includes the following:
'Past parent of Kate (OGC 2000), Minnie (OGC 2002), George (OGC 2006) and Harry (OGC 2009). He is also a past President of the Senior School Parents Association and current member of the Albert Bell Club. Dr Seward is a Sports Physician and General Practitioner in Geelong. He was the Medical Officer for the Geelong Football Club from 1982 to 2006, and is a Life Member of the Geelong Football Club, Executive Officer for the AFL Medical Officers Association and Member for the AFL Research Board.' Sources: Geelong Advertiser 25 March 2006 p22; Geelong Independent 26 May 2006; Business News, Issue 15, April 2011 p50; Annual Report of The Geelong College, 2010; http://www.gg.gov.au/australian-honours-and-awards/australian-honours-lists; Geelong Advertiser 12 June 2017 - 'Thanks Hugh So Much' by Chad Van Estrop; Ad Astra December 2017 p52..