Heritage Collections

The College of Surgeons' Heritage Collection was officially opened by the then president, Dr Russell Stitz, on 21 February 2007.

The Heritage Collection is located on the lower ground floor, south wing of the Melbourne building. It is open to the public 10am - 4pm, Monday to Wednesday - other times by appointment. A gold coin donation is appreciated.

Group tours can be organised by arrangement with the curator (see contact details below).

On display are:

• historical surgical instruments
• objects from the history of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• rare and historic books
• College memorabilia
• a selection of gifts from Fellows and affiliated colleges.

Themes explored include:

• the development of surgical technology
• great events in the history of surgery
• the history of surgery, from the time of the arrival of Europeans in the Asia-Pacific region
• great surgeons of the past
• the history of the College
• lives of the Fellows of the College.

The College of Surgeons' art gallery was established in 2008 and is located in the College building in Melbourne. As the gallery occupies heavily used multifunction public space, it is open to the public by appointment with the curator (see contact details below).

Exhibited in the art gallery are oil paintings, especially portraits, sculpture, silverware,  furniture, glass and ceramics. Most of these have been donated by Fellows and friends of the College, or are commemorative gifts from affiliated colleges. 

Both the Heritage Collection and the Art Gallery have been endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for participation in the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program (further details in the link below). The Cultural Gifts Program is a philanthropic program managed by the Australian Government and its primary aim is to encourage a culture of giving by offering taxation incentives to those who donate to approved public institutions.

The Heritage Collection is currently closed while building works take place.

College Curator
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
250-290 Spring Street
East Melbourne VIC 3002 Australia

Telephone: +61 3 9276 7488
Fax: +61 3 9249 1219
Email:college.curator@surgeons.org