"LET KNOWLEDGE CONQUER DISEASE"
The Significance of the Arms
The Shield
The Shield bears the original emblem of the College, the hand held torch of knowledge, on a book of learning. In the upper corners are fleams, ancient lancets shaped like the figure 7, which first appeared in the fifteenth century on the arms of our predecessors, the barber surgeons. In keeping with the heraldic practice of punning, the border of the shield is dentate.
The Crest
A lion crowned to signify our Royal Prefix, carries a dental probe.
The probe symbolises clinical dentistry, diagnosis and the seeking of knowledge. The tip points upwards and outwards, depicting the continuing search for knowledge. The crest is shown on a helmet to which it is attached by a wreath of the College colours.
The Supporters
As a corporate body the College elected to exercise its right to supporters. The Unicorn and Dragon are ancient heraldic symbols of healing and leadership respectively. From the Unicorn's collar hangs a rustre, a lozenge pierced with a hole, and from the collar of the Dragon hangs a complete lozenge. These devices refer to the important role of restorative dentistry.
The rustre and lozenge appear also in dental arms in New Zealand and thus provide a symbol of the part played in the College by New Zealand Fellows. The supporters carry tilting spears with banners, on the viewer's left the Southern Cross, and on the right the Badge of the College. It is interesting to note that arms are formally described relative to the bearer, similar to systems of dental charting. The Unicorn seen on the left is described as dexter and the Dragon on the right as sinister.
The Compartment
At the base of the Arms is a grassy mount decorated with flowers of the Papaver somniferum (opium poppy), an allusion to the contributions of dentistry to the field of local anaesthesia. The motto "VINCAT SCIENTIA MORBOS" ("Let knowledge conquer disease") was suggested by Professor J. R. Trevaskis, Hughes Professor of Classics in the University of Adelaide, from the constitutional objects of the College.
The Badge
The Badge, also granted by the Letters Patent, is for use when it is not appropriate to display the Arms. It consists of a seven pointed star representing the Southern Cross, and superimposed on the star are the college torch and a dental scaler designed by Abulcasis, the eleventh century Arabian surgeon.
The College is honoured by the Grant of Arms and looks forward to the Achievement being a symbol of the worthy purpose of the College for generations to come.
The College Arms
JOHN F. LAVIS, A.M., M.D.S., F.R.A.C.D.S., F.I.C.D.
"The bearing of arms is a dignity conferred by the Sovereign through officers of the Royal Household…" Thus Charles Low succinctly describes the elaborate procedures which were followed in the process of acquiring the Arms now borne by the College.
The right to bear arms may be personal, by inheritance or by reasons of eminence, and may be granted also to certain incorporated bodies. For five centuries it has been the practice of institutions which play an important part in national life to display armorial bearings as their emblems, and following incorporation of the College and granting by Her Majesty the Queen of the prefix "Royal", the Council decided in 1972 to seek a grant of arms.
Application was made to the Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal of England, by a formal document, a Memorial, and correspondence began with the Garter Principal King of Arms, then continued with the York Herald at the College of Arms, Dr. Conrad Swan. Acting on a suggestion by a Fellow of this College, Professor Donald Beck, the Council commissioned Mr. J.J. Schell Lannoy of Auckland, New Zealand, to prepare a draft design and on behalf of the College to continue negotiations with the officers of the College of Arms.
It is proper to record here the debt of gratitude which the College owes to Mr. Schell Lannoy. He displayed considerable artistic talent, a vast knowledge of heraldry and an understanding of the needs of the College. As a result of his efforts and the gracious co-operation of the Kings at Arms, the College now possesses Arms which are outstanding among corporate heraldry in Australasia.
The Council learned with the deepest regret that Mr. Schell Lannoy had died on March 3, 1976.
Heraldry had its origins in the military systems of the eleventh century when it was essential that every leader be clearly identified by his followers. As his body and head were encased in armour he was recognised by the design on his shield and, as a mark of great dignity, by the crest on his helmet.* This system of identification has formed the basis of heraldry today, and the modern rules of heraldic art had their origins in the practical requirements of those early days. Norman French words are still used to describe arms, but with modern English words and in modern context.
The College Arms were granted by Letters Patent given under the seals of Sir Anthony Wagner, Garter Principal King of Arms, J. R. B. Walker, Clarenceux King of Arms and W.J.G. Verco, Norroy and Ulster King of Arms.
*Low, Charles - A Roll of Australian Arms, Adelaide, Rigby Limited, 1971.
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