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In This Section
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  1. HOME
  2. About RACS
  3. About the College of Surgeons
  4. Our heritage & archives
  5. A brief history

A brief history

Some common questions about our history are answered below.

When was the RACS founded?

The College evolved during the years 1925 to 1927. The first official meeting of the College Council was held in February 1927.

Is there a published history of the College?

The official history of the College, The Mantle of Surgery, was written in 2002 by Arthur Wyn Beasley, a RACS Fellow. Wyn Beasley is an active past RACS councillor and a member of the RACS New Zealand Committee (New Zealand National Board). The Mantle of Surgery: the first seventy-five years of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons is available for sale or from our library (members only, login required). Fellows who have not yet received their free copy should email or phone +61 3 9276 7429. 

Who was the first president of the College?

The first President of the College was Sir George Syme (1859-1929), an eminent Melbourne surgeon. He died in office, the only President to do so.

Who was the first female Fellow of the College?

The first female Fellow was Lillian Violet Cooper, from Queensland, who was admitted to Fellowship on 17 June 1927. The first female surgeon to become a Fellow by passing the RACS Fellowship Examination was Lorna Sisely (1916-2004) from Victoria, who was admitted to Fellowship in June 1947.

Back to Our heritage & archives
  • A brief history
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  • The Cowlishaw Symposium
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  • Contact RACS Curator
  • Contact RACS Archivist
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