Last week, Mental Health Week, SBS screened a documentary on Dr John Cade, who discovered the application of lithium for the treatment of bipolar disorder; is regarded as a father of pharmacology (the science of treating disorders with drugs); was a hero of the Changi POW camp; and was the supervisor of the Royal Park Psychiatric Hospital, Parkville. But there is no memorial to him.

The 20 hectares of hospital parkland and heritage hospital buildings were handed over, gratis, to an overseas developer, for a private property development, part of which will be used to accommodate athletes for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. And, when the Heritage Council was considering whether the hospital's Federation buildings should be put on its register, Sports Minister Justin Madden authorised demolition of John Cade's office and laboratory in the hospital complex.

In a country in which only sports stars are heroes, men like Cade, who contributed to advancement in psychiatry and the alleviation of suffering, are soon forgotten.

JULIANNE BELL, Royal Park Protection Group, Parkville