What do RACS, Cottee’s cordial and Strandbags have in common? They might seem like an unlikely trio, but they all began in 1927, which means they’ll celebrate their centenary next year.

We might not be as familiar a name as those household brands, but I’d like to think our impact on the lives of Australians and New Zealanders over the past 100 years has been much more significant.

As co-chair of the Centenary Working Group, I’m getting increasingly excited about the year ahead. Our centenary is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role RACS plays, something that can be easy to take for granted when we’re busy getting on with the work. But it’s part of what connects us across specialties, generations and countries.

One of the initiatives I’m particularly looking forward to is 100 years. 100 stories. We’re sharing stories that bring our history to life through the people, objects and milestones that have shaped the College and our profession.

Some tell the story of the College itself, from the development of the Fellowship Examination to Sir Hugh Devine’s contribution to the RACS coat of arms. Others explore landmark moments in surgery, including Australia’s first heart transplant, or the way a chance to work in rural practice led to a career in philanthropy.

What I love about these stories is that they show how our history is about so much more than dates and achievements. It’s about people, their ideas and the choices they made, often opening doors for those who followed. Hearing about them has made me reflect on how fortunate I am to be part of this profession and its continuing story.

Celebrating the people who make a difference
That same appreciation for the people who make up our profession was evident in the response to our recent call for nominations for College awards. We received an unprecedented number of nominations, which was wonderful to see. Taking the time to recognise a colleague’s contribution is a meaningful thing to do, and the response shows just how much there is to celebrate across our profession. Whether through clinical practice, teaching, research, leadership or service, these contributions make a difference to colleagues, patients and communities. It’s important that we take the time to acknowledge them.

We’re also starting to see the centenary celebrations take shape. The 2027 Annual Scientific Congress in Melbourne will reflect on our past while looking to the future, and I’m looking forward to seeing the provisional program released soon.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, the Founders Centenary in Dunedin will take us back to where RACS held its first Council meeting in February 1927. These are just two of the events planned for this milestone year, with plenty more to come. I hope you’ll find opportunities to be part of the celebrations and mark this important moment in our history.

Learning from one another
In the meantime, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting out and about and meeting colleagues at events around the region. At the Tristate Annual Scientific Meeting in Darwin and the RACS Tasmania Annual Scientific Meeting in Hobart, it was great to see how local surgical communities come together to learn, share experiences and support one another.

A strong theme across these gatherings was the importance of non-technical skills. Communication, teamwork, leadership and sound decision-making are fundamental to good patient care, whatever our specialty or where we practise. The quality of the programs was a reminder that developing these skills is just as important as keeping up with advances in surgical technique.

I was also delighted to speak at the Australian and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery (ANZSVS) conference in Queenstown and join the Women in Vascular Surgery breakfast. It was encouraging to see the growing representation of women in our profession, including in leadership. Dr Roxanne Wu has been announced as the next ANZSVS president, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the organisation’s history.

Progress worth building on
The latest RACS Activities Report also shows progress, with women making up almost 35 per cent of surgical Trainees and 41 per cent of successful applicants to the Surgical Education and Training (SET) program in 2025.

There is still work to do, but this progress matters. A profession that draws on a broader range of experiences and perspectives is better placed to understand the communities it serves and deliver the care patients need.

I’ve also been reflecting on the privilege of contributing to the College through my nearly nine years on Council. RACS depends on surgeons being willing to bring their experience, perspectives and ideas to the work of representing our profession and guiding the College.

With Council nominations now open, I encourage you to consider whether this is an opportunity for you to contribute. It’s a significant commitment, but also a chance to make a meaningful difference to the College and the profession we share, particularly as RACS enters its second century.

Check your email for a message from BigPulse with information on how to nominate and the eligibility criteria. If you have questions about the role of a Councillor, what’s involved in serving on Council, or haven’t received your BigPulse email (including in your junk folder), please get in touch.

As we approach our centenary, I hope we can take time to appreciate not only what RACS has achieved, but also the people who have made it possible. Our history gives us plenty to be proud of. More importantly, it reminds us that the College’s story is still being written by us all.

Warm regards,

Dr Christine Lai
Vice President