Younger Fellows Forum 2022

council representative on the Faculty of Anaesthesia (before the anaesthetists formed their own College), vice-president and president from1987 to 89—a position held by a paediatric surgeon for the first time.

“It was very apparent to me at that time when I was president that it was such a full-time position and it really was not possible to carry on a surgical clinical practice,” Durham says. “I tried to do it, the first five or six months of being the president—I kept my private practice going as I had just retired from RCH as a public consultant and I simply couldn’t do it. “This was why we created the position of an executive director for Surgical Affairs–an appointment relieving the president of some of the administrative duties. This allowed future presidents to maintain at least some part of their practice and encouraged the appointment of younger presidents still in practice.” Following Durham’s retirement from Council he was appointed as the inaugural executive director for Surgical Affairs from 1989 – 1992. He continued to serve the College as coordinator for the annual scientific conferences until 1996.

Durham said he was drawn and inspired to join the College due to its ultimate objective. “The College was altruistic, to seriously pursue the highest standards of surgery in each of its Fellows. “It was a nice feeling to be part of that objective … it doesn’t mean we felt we did great things, or that we did it well, but that was our objective.” Durham is credited for his efforts to amalgamate the specialist associations of surgery into the College. These associations were strong and had largely developed independently of the College. It was important that the profession remained united, and “that we learn from one another. This was achieved by accepting the training committees of the associations to be the basis of the boards of the specialties of the College. The amalgamation meant that the specialties held programs at the annual scientific congress, allowing the cross fertilisation of surgical experience.” Durham, a respected paediatric surgeon known for his courteous and caring manner, was awarded the Devine Medal, the highest honour the College bestows. We congratulate him on achieving another important milestone.

Elizabeth Milford, RACS Archivist

Images (clockwise from top left): Durham Smith at Lorne lookout, Victoria; Durham celebrating his 100th birthday with his sons; John Royle, Dorothy and Durham Smith; Durham Smith portrait in RACS archives.

The 2022 Younger Fellows Forum was held at the beautiful Cedar Creek Lodges at Mount Tamborine, Queensland. It provided a unique opportunity for a diverse group of Younger Fellows (those gaining fellowship within the last 10 years) to meet and have a voice in shaping the future direction of the College. Participants gained a greater understanding on the working of the College, made new friends in a relaxed environment, and had the opportunity to debate important issues facing surgeons in 2022 and beyond. Most importantly, the forum offered a unique opportunity for younger members of the College to collectively have a voice on important issues and present several collaborative recommendations to the College Council. Participants came from diverse backgrounds. In addition to delegates from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, representatives from the US Association of Academic Surgery attended in person, and international Younger Fellows from College of Surgeons of Hong Kong and Thailand presented remotely. We’d like to thank our gold sponsor IMEDCARE, and silver sponsor Ramsey Health Care for their support. The 2023 Younger Fellows Forum will be held at the Adelaide Hills Convention Centre in Hahndorf, South Australia, from 28 – 30 April 2023. If you are a Younger Fellow and want to be more involved in your College and shaping its future, we encourage you to consider attending and pencil the 2023 forum dates in your calendar.

Authors: Dr Rebecca Won and Dr Harsheet Sethi 2022 Younger Fellows Forum convenors