RACS WA had the privilege of hosting the RACS WA, SA & NT Tristate Annual Scientific Meeting 2024 in the stunning landscape of Broome from 1 – 3 August, 2024. Conveners, Assoc. Prof. Ming Yew and Dr. Sharon Lee, crafted a comprehensive program that facilitated critical discussions with key stakeholders in the room on the theme of ‘‘Culture, Accountability & Diversity’.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this enriching experience. We look forward to continuing these essential conversations and driving forward progress in the years to come.

We are grateful to our valued sponsors, whose support was integral to the success of this meeting:

• Australian Defence Force Careers
• Gore
• iScribe
• Johnson & Johnson MedTech
• MDA National
• Medtronic
• MIGA
• Polynovo
• Smith & Nephew
• Solventum
• 3D Matrix
• Western Diagnostic Pathology

along with our Destination Partner: Business Events Perth and our Travel Grant Partner: Bartons.

The RACS WA South West General Surgery Conference 2024, held from 22-24 November at the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, proved to be a resounding success. Over the course of three days, attendees had the opportunity to engage with some of the leading voices in general surgery, with an impressive program that covered a range of timely and relevant topics, aligning with the theme of ‘Learn, Share, Transcend’.

The conference featured an array of insightful presentations, including a keynote address from Dr. Havish Srinath, who delivered a comprehensive session on Robotic Colorectal Surgery, showcasing the transformative potential of robotic technologies in modern surgery. The Breast Endocrine session, with contributions from expert practitioners such as Amy Pearn, provided attendees with valuable insights into the rapidly evolving field of genetic counselling and its impact on breast endocrine surgery.

The Trauma session covered pressing issues, from the latest trauma literature, to innovative systems and infrastructure for modern trauma care. Speakers including Prof. Dieter Weber, Lola Sikora, Dr. Jeni Thomas, and Dr. James Carroll brought a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to the table, making for a compelling series of talks that resonated with everyone in attendance.

Attendees enjoyed the relaxed yet engaging atmosphere at the Welcome Function, as well as the Conference Dinner, which was held at the Old Lyric. Guests at the Dinner were welcomed in VIP style by student ushers from Bunbury Cathedral Primary School, as they made their way into the venue for a long table style dinner. 

We would like to thank all our RACS WA South West General Surgery Conference 2024 speakers, attendees, and sponsors for their invaluable contributions in making this biennial event a success.

The RACS WA Women in Surgery High Tea, held on Saturday 8 March 2025 at the Crystal Club Lounge, Crown Towers, was a memorable celebration of International Women’s Day.

The event brought together WA Fellows, Trainees, and medical students to honour the achievements of women in surgery. Providing an insightful presentation at the event was our guest speaker, Dr Jacqueline Boaks, who spoke on the crucial topic of Ethics and Leadership, focusing on ethical decision making within organisations.

The gathering provided a wonderful opportunity for networking, learning, and celebrating the contributions of women in the field of surgery, against the backdrop of the beautiful city skyline & Swan River. 

We thank our valued event partner, MDA National.

On Thursday 13 February, the RACS WA State Office hosted an engaging and insightful Younger Fellows Educational & Networking Evening. The event provided an excellent opportunity for Younger Fellows to connect, share experiences, and gain valuable knowledge on key medico-legal and technological developments impacting surgical practice.

We were privileged to welcome Gae Nuttall and Nerissa Ferrie from the MDA National Medicare Committee, who expertly navigated the complexities of Medicare compliance and answered pressing questions from attendees. Their practical insights helped demystify common challenges and provided strategies for navigating audits and billing regulations with confidence.

Adding a forward-thinking perspective, Jamie Chew from i-scribe delivered an informative presentation on the role of AI in surgical efficiencies. His discussion on emerging AI tools and their potential to streamline workflows sparked great interest and thought-provoking conversations about the future of surgical practice.

The evening was also a fantastic networking opportunity, allowing Younger Fellows to engage with colleagues in a relaxed setting. Feedback from attendees highlighted the value of these sessions in fostering professional connections and addressing critical topics relevant to contemporary surgical practice.

A big thank you to our speakers and all who attended for making this event a success. We look forward to welcoming our Younger Fellows to future RACS WA events!

WA Surgeons' Ball 2025 - A Night to Remember

The RACS ‘Aurora Nights’ WA Surgeons' Ball 2025, held on Saturday 14 June at the Crown Towers Ballroom, brought together Fellows and Trainees from across Western Australia for a spectacular night. With the ballroom glowing in celestial hues to reflect the Aurora lights theme, our Fellows & Trainees, along with their guests, were treated to a magical evening of celebration and connection.

Orthopaedic Fellow, Dr Jonathan Spencer, and General Surgery Younger Fellow, Dr Erasmia Christou, served as the Masters of Ceremonies, bringing their energy and professionalism to the stage, while Summer Club Band kept the dance floor alive. Most importantly, the event raised an incredible $19,285 for the Heart and Lung Research Institute of WA, helping to advance critical research into humanised tissue models for heart and lung disease - a powerful show of support from the surgical community.

We express our immense gratitude to our valued Platinum Partners of this event, Aston Martin Perth and St John of God Health Care.