HIP opens new pharmacy in North Melbourne suburb
On 1st July HIP opened its latest pharmacy in the North Melbourne suburb of Ivanhoe. According to travel website www.travelmate.com.au:
“There has always been a touch of elegance to the lifestyle of the folk from Ivanhoe which is at the centre of a well-defined district lying between Darebin Creek and the Yarra River in Melbourne’s north. The original village took its name from the title of a Walter Scott novel and, according to a contemporary report, life in the 1850s revolved round two hotels, market gardens, orchards, a private church school a rustic racecourse and a covey of ‘gentlemen’s villas’. Some of that character lingers on, especially in the renowned Boulevard which overlooks the public golf course and the Yarra Valley.”
New owner and HIP member Than Soe confirms that Ivanhoe is (still) a relatively affluent suburb, with a now predominantly elderly demographic. The pharmacy - which incorporates a post office, is in a strip of six shops.
Than, originally from Burma, studied pharmacy at Bradford in the UK and then spent four years working as a pharmacist around the country, gaining experience in roughly fifty pharmacies, from big chains like Boots to small independents. He came to Australia four years ago and since arriving here has managed large and multiple pharmacies in rural Victoria.
Having wanted to own a pharmacy since studying in Bradford, he came across HIP through a friend. Than explains:
“When I looked into the HIP model I saw a progressive pharmacy group with very similar values to my own. In fact the whole HIP approach is incredibly inspiring. And Tracey (Bushby) and Mike (Glasson) have both been fantastic in helping me realise my dream of pharmacy ownership.”
06.07.09
