Australasian Association of Paediatric Surgeons

The Australasian Association of Paediatric Surgeons, so-named in 1990 after incorporating New Zealand (previously it was the Australian Association of Paediatric Surgeons), the specialist society to which all paediatric surgeons belong, nominates its own members to the Board of Paediatric Surgery of the College. The Board of Paediatric Surgery selects and mentors the trainees and determines the structure of the curriculum. The Association has the autonomy to have its own scientific meetings, but every second year it runs its annual conference within the Annual Scientific Congress of the College, so that inter-disciplinary sessions can be held. Edward Bate, a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon, and Peter Jones became elected Councilors of the College until illness forced the latter's resignation and Edward Bate becoming the Chairman of the Court of Examiners. Patricia Davidson became Censor-in-Chief on Council, one of the toughest jobs in surgery, being the final arbiter in all training matters in all disciplines. Patrick Dewan became a Councillor, and finally, Anne Kolbe became the second paediatric surgical President of the College (2003–2005), and the first woman in any surgical college in the world to be President. This brief analysis should also include the number of senior paediatric colleagues who have played a part on the College State Committees, as Examiners for Fellowship, and as representatives on Council for Paediatric Surgery.