A 2021 Tribute to All Staff

Dear Readers,

The beginning of 2020 seemed very much like the year before. Overseas and interstate travel was at a high level and large gatherings were a way of life. In the big cities people crowded on to public transport or jumped into cars heading for the city centre or other work sites accepting the time taken to travel to work.

Then it all changed! And these changes have altered life as we know it! Life will never be completely the same. The College staff were suddenly spending most of their time working from home. Daily interaction was via a computer screen. No chit chat over the morning coffee. Limited to the confines of their homes and for some the additional task of home schooling and additional care for others.

College members—Fellows and trainees—both in radiology and radiation oncology along with the very broad spectrum of allied staff both in private and public found their practice and home lifestyle completely altered. So did all their families and friends. For some the isolation was a massive hurdle to overcome. Not to mention the added toll of sickness and death of this wild pandemic. So much uncertainty which still continues worldwide.

We all take pride in the way our dedicated College staff have absorbed the difficulties encountered and managed to provide an excellent service to all our membership. They are to be congratulated on a superb effort. They are the backbone of our College.

As the Editor in Chief of Inside News, I was amazed at the work done in the College office by Lindy Baker and her colleagues. On top of that our readership increased by 90 per cent in 2021. We should not forget also the large number of hardworking members who give of their time in the College management from the President down. They also had personal difficulties to address.

There was also the terrible disruption of training and examination timetables. The trainees I worked with battled on regardless. Looking forward in 2022 we will continue to collaborate with colleagues from the committees, sub-committees, Special Interest Groups, and new Associate Members.

Keep the contributions coming it. The Newsletter is a fundamental communication avenue. Hopefully 2022 will be a brighter year, despite the continuing challenges and everyone deserves to have a relaxing and pleasurable Christmas and New Year. Best wishes to all of you and your families.

Dr Allan Wycherley Editor in Chief