South Australian Medical Heritage Society

	South Australian Medical Heritage Society Inc Website for the Virtual Museum
Home Coming meetings Past meetings About the Society Galleries of the Virtual Museum Main Galleries Medicine Surgery Anaesthesia X-rays Hospitals,other organisations Individuals of note Small Galleries Dentistry Nursing Ethnic medicine - Aboriginal - Chinese - Mediterran	Presidents' Reports 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2009 Presidents Report (2008—2009) The last year was important for the Society. The history week exhibits contained contributions from most of the Hospital Museums in Adelaide. The RAH, QEH, WCH, Glenside and the “Repat” Museum all provided exhibits. In addition Pauline Payne, Dr.Belinda Coyte, Professor Simpson, Dr. Joan Durdin, Dr. W Fuller and Mr. Tom Stevenson exhibited their historical items. The attendance exceeded 90 but no one guessed the mystery prize (an unusual surgical crushing clamp) Our management meeting venue is in doubt. The South Australian Government has proposed a redevelopment program for Glenside Campus. Unfortunately the Museum of the Glenside Historical Society and the seminar room where we meet has to cede its area to the Film Corporation early this year. The History Trust and the Government Archives have kindly agreed to store important documents and items from the collection but the remaining items will need to go to temporary storage. David Buob and myself have met with Margaret Anderson from the History Trust and Joanne Mc Quinn from the Premier’s major planning office. There was considerable goodwill but the final resolution is still pending. The Minister Jane Lomax-Smith has visited the site and was impressed but the temporary storage site for the remaining items is still in doubt. We had six presentations last year. R. Cooter talked about “Air Doctors of SA, Alvis Jaunzems described the history and advances in light and electron microscopy, Michael Patkin and Linda Wurful talked about the real and virtual museums, Robert George talked about Bragg’s role in the development of X-rays in SA and Professor Goldney about the history of the Glenside Hospital. Last week Professor Sampson talked about the early days of dentistry in SA. and showed a film about Robert Norman who made Corporal Cole’s hand and founded Normanville. Our original web-site with the Department of Surgery at TQEH is still active and is changed regularly. The current presentation involves R. A. Fisher the famed statistician who died in Adelaide and the Atago Refactometer. It can be reached by “//www.health.adelaide.edu.au/surgery/society/gallery.html” However recently Michael Patkin a retired surgeon, ergonomist and a computer enthusiast has joined us and trans-scribed our CD’s onto the Society Web-page at “samhs.org.au”.We hope to launch the site at the forthcoming History Week. The web-site has most of our 150 medical history items from SA and more than 500 photographs The Society has twelve new members and its funds exceed $1500.` Our friendly relations with the Pauline Payne, President of the Science Innovation and Technology Group continue and we propose to have a combined meeting on May 9 2009. We will participate in the forthcoming History Week. In addition to the usual exhibits we hope to launch our new web-site and also conduct tours around the historic sites of Glenside. So far he Society has reached this stage but it is important that it continues to advance, To reach the next stage a new president and a new secretary are needed. At the next annual meeting the president and the secretary will resign and new nominations will be called for. the vacancies. . Finally I would like to thank the secretary, treasurer, and the members of the management group for their help, advice and support. Tony Slavotinek 4.5.2009 2008 President’s Report 2008 The last year was quite eventful. We have had 5 presentations in 2007 and one this year. At the Repatriation Hospital Dr. Peter Last talked about the hospital and the retuned servicemen. Dr. Richard Brock told us about Howard Florey and penicillin at the Florey clinic in Prospect and Mr. Tom Stevenson recounted the history and advances in Orthopaedic surgery in South Australia at the QEH. At the Pharmaceutical Society Dr. Robert Cooter described the discovery of amoebas in the Port Augusta water supply and its role in controlling amoebic meningitis. Finally Dr. Toby Coates used powerpoint to demonstrate history and the role QEH played in renal dialysis and transplantation. Our friendly relations with Dr. Pauline Payne of the Science, Ideas and Technology Group continue. We attend each others meetings and plan to have a combined meeting towards the end of this year. The attempts to obtain a suitable area for storage and exhibits continue. David Buob wrote to the Premier and Professor Simpson contacted Dr. Miller the Director of the Museum of SA. The replies were helpful and contained several suggestions but it seems that history currently takes second place to social issues and most musea have their own storage problems. We are waiting for developments involving the future of the Glenside Hospital and the translocation of the RAH. Last year's participation in the History week was well attended and had favourable reviews. We are sad to miss our Secretary, Trevor White and Dr. John Couper –Smartt. Trevor is involved with the Cheltenham project and the preservation of the Brocas Museum. John is writing his third book. Dr.Colin Suchting has kindly agreed to become our Secretary and Prof .Wayne Sampson has replaced John on the management group. We continue to record and photograph significant items of medical heritage. The bound records occupy 134 pages and more than 400 colour photographs. The most recent (2008) additions deal with the history of hearing aids, (Mr. Andrew Durovka) Histology apparatus and microscopes in 1950ies (Linda Wurfel and Dr. Lynette Moore) and Dr Begg”s contribution to Orthodontics.(Prof. Wayne Sampson). Finally I would like to thank the secretary Colin Suchting , the treasurer David Boub and the management group for their support. We are also grateful to Professor Maddern and Sandra Ireland who allow us to use Department of Surgery’s web-site. (http://www.health.adelaide.edu.au/surgery/society/gallery.html) Tony Slavotinek 2007 President’s Report: 2007 The Society is now entering its third year with a new management group. We have been able to establish a web site with the help of Professor Maddern at the University of Adelaide Department of Surgery at the QEH. It has the president’s report and a photo-gallery which is now in its third edition.. Its most recent photographs show Corporal Coles’ hand prosthesis, foreign bodies removed from children’s gullets and lungs by Dr. Matison and a Tesla coil apparatus. Dr.Sally Stephenson has joined us as a consultant and attends our meetings. Her recent review of Hospital Heritage items is thorough and most valuable. She is also arranging an important meeting to discuss the future aims of the Society in June. . Our meetings continue. So far this year we visited the Women and Children’s Hospital, (Dr. Fotheringham and Graham Truman) and the Florey clinic (Dr. Richard Brock) The history of ACH and the exploits of Florey, Fleming and Chain were the themes. . The presentations were informative and enjoyable. The next two presentations will deal with the history of the Repatriation General Hospital ( Dr. Peter Last, July 19 ) and Mr Tom Stevenson (History of Orthopaedics in SA in August) We intend to discuss the role of dialysis in SA sometime in October. Professor Wayne Sampson has joined our Society. And will provide important contribution from the Faculty of Dentistry. We have also formed a friendly cooperation with Pauline Payne, the President of the Science, Innovation and Technology Group. We distribute our notices and attend each other meetings. After three years it is conventional for the President and other members of the management team to give an opportunity for others to take a role in the Society. It is hoped that this will be discussed at this annual general meeting or at the seminar arranged by Sally Stephenson. The Society continues to gather information about important heritage items and significant events in the medical history of SA. We now have records of over 150 such items and their photographs. The need of a temporary storage facility and a site for educational exhibits is an urgent priority.. Tony Slavotinek 2006 Presidents report: 2006 The May annual general meting was during the SA. History Week and the Society held an exhibit of heritage items at the Glenside Hospital. It was well attended and the numerous exhibits were provided by temporary loans from the metropolitan hospitals and from private collectors. We are grateful to the RAH, TQEH, Glenside, Calvary, Women and Children Hospitals and The Australian Neurosurgical Society. Drs. Couper-Smartt, Belinda Coyte and W. Fuller. exhibited items from their collections. Representatives of the Society also visited the Jamestown Museum to photograph the Both Iron Lung and Port Augusta Hospital which has a considerable collection of 19th and 20th century instruments including a chloroform anaesthetic machine. It is planned to obtain an oral history from Dr. John Thompson a prominent GP. Surgeon there. Dr. Richard Bowering allowed us to photograph many items of his private collection. Don Burge a retired pharmacist donated several pharmacopoeias (1932) and prescription books and Dr. Lamb from the Crafter Medical Centre kindly donated medical scales used by Dr. A.H. Gault In early 1900. Dr. Peter Last allowed us to photograph Dr. H.R.F.Esau’s electromagnetic Machine and provided information about Corporal Coles’s hand. Philip Keane allowed us to photograph it. Visit to Geoff Miller of the Australian Pharmaceutical Society provided valuable information about the Medical Museum in Perth. The two recent general meetings were held at The Calvary hospital and at The South Australian Museum. Our host at Calvary was Terry Omond OAM and Mr. Paul McClarrin spoke to us about the history and process of glass eye manufacture. At the SA. Museum Mark Pharaoh told us about the Mawson expedition and showed us Mawson’s medical kit and first aid appliances. Dr. Sally Stephenson joined us recently as a consultant. She will provide valuable help in cataloguing and identifying important medical heritage items scattered through South Australian Hospitals and museums. The Department of Surgery at TQEH kindly allowed us to use their web site to insert information about the Society and a “photo gallery”. Finally Dr. R.Cooter, SA representative of the ANZ Society of History of Medicine, suggested a possible formation of a SA branch. We communicated with Dr. J. Godden. The ANZSHM holds national biennial and other conferences, publishes a peer reviewed Journal : “Health and History” and a regular newsletter. The ANZSHM has proposed that an annual per capita rebate of 10 Dollars may be returned to our Society if it becomes a branch. Enrolment forms contain information about the web site, subscription fees and other activities. They will be available at our next general meeting. Tony Slavotinek 2005 President’s Report 22.5.2005 The aim of the report is to outline the activities of the South Australian Medical Heritage Society for the past year and to acknowledge the cooperation and help of its numerous members. The Museum idea has been temporarily suspended. Our current and more realistic aim is to seek a storage and display area. The former need only to be adequate and not necessarily co-located. It is intended to use the latter to display important activities in the development of medicine in South Australia. Themes such as the role of the Both Industries in the development of medical apparatus, the Fauldings company’s influence on the drug industry and its relation with the Braggs in developing SA radiology are important. Further topics such as Traeger and flying doctor radio, histories of individual SA hospitals or prominent medical persons and their role in medical progress are all topics worthy of individual and educational exhibits. Our other aim, to establish a list of important SA medical heritage items has progressed well and we now have records of over 60 items of heritage importance. The lists record their structure, ownership, function and location. A good example is the current display during the History Trust week. The items are on loan from most of the major Adelaide Hospitals and from several private collectors. They reflect the good will and cooperation of these persons and Institutions. This will no doubt continue in the future and provide a basis for further exhibits. The Society has also received several important donations. Among others they include the first Both electrocardiograph (1936), one of the first gastroscopes (1960) and the surgical instruments of Sir Leonard Lindon. We are grateful to Professor Donald Simpson who helped with the donation. In addition to the monthly meetings of the management group, the Society held four general meetings. The first was a tour of the Keswick Military Museum. Our hosts were Colonels Swen Kuusk and Peter Byrne. At the Calvary Hospital. Dr. W Fuller talked about the history of Anaesthesia and Terry Omond showed us the museum. Dr. Brian Fotheringham was our next host at St John Ambulance building in Unley, where Mr. Donald Beard talked about the life Sir Henry Simpson Newland. and showed us some of Sir Henry’s instruments. Finally the Department of Surgery at TQEH and Robyn Johnson provided the venue for our last meeting. Diane Gall talked about the history of the Fauldings Company and showed us their product samples and early photographs. We have met with The Hon. Lea Stevens at the Parliament House. She is happy to continue as our Patron and valuable mentor. A small group of us visited Mr. Bert Causby a retired Both technician, Torrence Island, Fauldings Library at Mayne Pharmaceuticals. Other visits were to Rose Wilson the archivist of the RAH Medical Heritage and History Society, who is loaning items to this exhibit and Paul McLarin a Churchill scholar and the last glass eye maker in Australia. He showed us how glass eyes are made. Dr. John Couper-Smartt kindly designed a logo for our letterhead and developed a computer program for recording our acquired and listed items. Mr. Graham Truman was most generous with his advice about the development of Radiology in South Australia and has loaned us several items, (two tables) from his collection at the WCH Hospital for the exhibit. Dr. Brian Fothringham allowed us to photograph current and historical (1878) splints and body charts of St. John Ambulance. We saw Dr. Belinda Coyte’s collection and traced the Traeger radios at Alice Springs, Twin Stations and Port Augusta. Dr. W. McLarty kindly provided us with the relevant articles about the lives of Mr. Douglas McKay and Dr. Charles Swann and donated a prototype glass eye to the Society. John Heath kindly allowed us to use his articles documenting the Max Dreissig skeleton, the Both news paper articles and the life histories of SA’s Greats: “The men and women of the North Terrace plaques.” Kate Walsh and her team at the History Trust were most helpful and provided us with suggestions for our listing and acquisition policies. They also published an article “ The Overview of Medical Collections in Adelaide” in this February edition of History Matters. The administration of the Glenside campus and Chris Sexton provided us with the venue and staff for the current exhibit and possibly future meetings. The current theme, the documentation of the history and manufacture of nursing uniforms in SA, is nearing completion. Again the kind cooperation of prominent nurses at several Hospitals is most helpful. Our thanks are to Joan Durdin, Mary Slogget, Mary Collins and Rose Wilson with helpful suggestions, criticism and photo opportunities. I believe that the future of this Society depends on the strong support of the archivists and curators of the various medical museums in Adelaide and country SA. The items in the current exhibit reflect their good will, cooperation and bide well for the future. My final thanks are to the past president, David Boub and our secretary Trevor White Their help, guidance and advice are invaluable. Tony Slavotinek -o0o-

South Australian Medical Heritage Society Inc

Website for the Virtual Museum

Home
Coming meetings
Past meetings
About the Society

Galleries of the Virtual Museum

Main Galleries

Medicine
Surgery
Anaesthesia
X-rays
Hospitals,other organisations
Individuals of note

Small Galleries

Dentistry
Nursing

Ethnic medicine
     - Aboriginal
     - Chinese
     - Mediterran

Presidents' Reports

2009
2008
2007
2006
2005

2009

Presidents Report (2008—2009)

The last year was important for the Society. The history week exhibits contained contributions from most of the Hospital Museums in Adelaide. The RAH, QEH, WCH, Glenside and the “Repat” Museum all provided exhibits. In addition Pauline Payne, Dr.Belinda Coyte, Professor Simpson,

Dr. Joan Durdin, Dr. W Fuller and Mr. Tom Stevenson exhibited their historical items. The attendance exceeded 90 but no one guessed the mystery prize (an unusual surgical crushing clamp)

Our management meeting venue is in doubt. The South Australian Government has proposed a redevelopment program for Glenside Campus. Unfortunately the Museum of the Glenside Historical Society and the seminar room where we meet has to cede its area to the Film Corporation early this year. The History Trust and the Government Archives have kindly agreed to store important documents and items from the collection but the remaining items will need to go to temporary storage.

David Buob and myself have met with Margaret Anderson from the History Trust and Joanne Mc Quinn from the Premier’s major planning office. There was considerable goodwill but the final resolution is still pending. The Minister Jane Lomax-Smith has visited the site and was impressed but the temporary storage site for the remaining items is still in doubt.

We had six presentations last year. R. Cooter talked about “Air Doctors of SA, Alvis Jaunzems described the history and advances in light and electron microscopy, Michael Patkin and Linda Wurful talked about the real and virtual museums, Robert George talked about Bragg’s role in the development of X-rays in SA and Professor Goldney about the history of the Glenside Hospital.

Last week Professor Sampson talked about the early days of dentistry in SA. and showed a film about Robert Norman who made Corporal Cole’s hand and founded Normanville.

Our original web-site with the Department of Surgery at TQEH is still active and is changed regularly. The current presentation involves R. A. Fisher the famed statistician who died in Adelaide and the Atago Refactometer. It can be reached by “//www.health.adelaide.edu.au/surgery/society/gallery.html”

However recently Michael Patkin a retired surgeon, ergonomist and a computer enthusiast has joined us and trans-scribed our CD’s onto the Society Web-page at “samhs.org.au”.We hope to launch the site at the forthcoming History Week. The web-site has most of our 150 medical history items from SA and more than 500 photographs

The Society has twelve new members and its funds exceed $1500.` Our friendly relations with the Pauline Payne, President of the Science Innovation and Technology Group continue and we propose to have a combined meeting on May 9 2009. We will participate in the forthcoming History Week. In addition to the usual exhibits we hope to launch our new web-site and also conduct tours around the historic sites of Glenside.

So far he Society has reached this stage but it is important that it continues to advance, To reach the next stage a new president and a new secretary are needed. At the next annual meeting the president and the secretary will resign and new nominations will be called for. the vacancies.
.
Finally I would like to thank the secretary, treasurer, and the members of the management group for their help, advice and support.

Tony Slavotinek 4.5.2009

2008

President’s Report 2008

The last year was quite eventful. We have had 5 presentations in 2007 and one this year. At the Repatriation Hospital Dr. Peter Last talked about the hospital and the retuned servicemen. Dr. Richard Brock told us about Howard Florey and penicillin at the Florey clinic in Prospect and Mr. Tom Stevenson recounted the history and advances in Orthopaedic surgery in South Australia at the QEH. At the Pharmaceutical Society Dr. Robert Cooter described the discovery of amoebas in the Port Augusta water supply and its role in controlling amoebic meningitis. Finally Dr. Toby Coates used powerpoint to demonstrate history and the role QEH played in renal dialysis and transplantation.

Our friendly relations with Dr. Pauline Payne of the Science, Ideas and Technology Group continue. We attend each others meetings and plan to have a combined meeting towards the end of this year.

The attempts to obtain a suitable area for storage and exhibits continue. David Buob wrote to the Premier and Professor Simpson contacted Dr. Miller the Director of the Museum of SA. The replies were helpful and contained several suggestions but it seems that history currently takes second place to social issues and most musea have their own storage problems. We are waiting for developments involving the future of the Glenside Hospital and the translocation of the RAH. Last year's participation in the History week was well attended and had favourable reviews.

We are sad to miss our Secretary, Trevor White and Dr. John Couper –Smartt. Trevor is involved with the Cheltenham project and the preservation of the Brocas Museum. John is writing his third book. Dr.Colin Suchting has kindly agreed to become our Secretary and Prof .Wayne Sampson has replaced John on the management group.

We continue to record and photograph significant items of medical heritage. The bound records occupy 134 pages and more than 400 colour photographs. The most recent (2008) additions deal with the history of hearing aids, (Mr. Andrew Durovka) Histology apparatus and microscopes in 1950ies (Linda Wurfel and Dr. Lynette Moore) and Dr Begg”s contribution to Orthodontics.(Prof. Wayne Sampson).

Finally I would like to thank the secretary Colin Suchting , the treasurer David Boub and the management group for their support. We are also grateful to Professor Maddern and Sandra Ireland who allow us to use Department of Surgery’s web-site. (http://www.health.adelaide.edu.au/surgery/society/gallery.html)

Tony Slavotinek

2007

President’s Report: 2007

The Society is now entering its third year with a new management group. We have been able to establish a web site with the help of Professor Maddern at the University of Adelaide Department of Surgery at the QEH. It has the president’s report and a photo-gallery which is now in its third edition.. Its most recent photographs show Corporal Coles’ hand prosthesis, foreign bodies removed from children’s gullets and lungs by Dr. Matison and a Tesla coil apparatus.

Dr.Sally Stephenson has joined us as a consultant and attends our meetings. Her recent review of Hospital Heritage items is thorough and most valuable. She is also arranging an important meeting to discuss the future aims of the Society in June.
.
Our meetings continue. So far this year we visited the Women and Children’s Hospital, (Dr. Fotheringham and Graham Truman) and the Florey clinic (Dr. Richard Brock) The history of ACH and the exploits of Florey, Fleming and Chain were the themes. . The presentations were informative and enjoyable.

The next two presentations will deal with the history of the Repatriation General Hospital ( Dr. Peter Last, July 19 ) and Mr Tom Stevenson (History of Orthopaedics in SA in August) We intend to discuss the role of dialysis in SA sometime in October.

Professor Wayne Sampson has joined our Society. And will provide important contribution from the Faculty of Dentistry. We have also formed a friendly cooperation with Pauline Payne, the President of the Science, Innovation and Technology Group. We distribute our notices and attend each other meetings.

After three years it is conventional for the President and other members of the management team to give an opportunity for others to take a role in the Society. It is hoped that this will be discussed at this annual general meeting or at the seminar arranged by Sally Stephenson.

The Society continues to gather information about important heritage items and significant events in the medical history of SA. We now have records of over 150 such items and their photographs.
The need of a temporary storage facility and a site for educational exhibits is an urgent priority..

Tony Slavotinek

2006

Presidents report: 2006

The May annual general meting was during the SA. History Week and the Society held an exhibit of heritage items at the Glenside Hospital. It was well attended and the numerous exhibits were provided by temporary loans from the metropolitan hospitals and from private collectors. We are grateful to the RAH, TQEH, Glenside, Calvary, Women and Children Hospitals and The Australian Neurosurgical Society. Drs. Couper-Smartt, Belinda Coyte and W. Fuller. exhibited items from their collections.

Representatives of the Society also visited the Jamestown Museum to photograph the Both Iron Lung and Port Augusta Hospital which has a considerable collection of 19th and 20th century instruments including a chloroform anaesthetic machine. It is planned to obtain an oral history from Dr. John Thompson a prominent GP. Surgeon there.

Dr. Richard Bowering allowed us to photograph many items of his private collection. Don Burge a retired pharmacist donated several pharmacopoeias (1932) and prescription books and Dr. Lamb from the Crafter Medical Centre kindly donated medical scales used by Dr. A.H. Gault In early 1900. Dr. Peter Last allowed us to photograph Dr. H.R.F.Esau’s electromagnetic Machine and provided information about Corporal Coles’s hand. Philip Keane allowed us to photograph it. Visit to Geoff Miller of the Australian Pharmaceutical Society provided valuable information about the Medical Museum in Perth.

The two recent general meetings were held at The Calvary hospital and at The South Australian Museum. Our host at Calvary was Terry Omond OAM and Mr. Paul McClarrin spoke to us about the history and process of glass eye manufacture. At the SA. Museum Mark Pharaoh told us about the Mawson expedition and showed us Mawson’s medical kit and first aid appliances.

Dr. Sally Stephenson joined us recently as a consultant. She will provide valuable help in cataloguing and identifying important medical heritage items scattered through South Australian Hospitals and museums.

The Department of Surgery at TQEH kindly allowed us to use their web site to insert information about the Society and a “photo gallery”.

Finally Dr. R.Cooter, SA representative of the ANZ Society of History of Medicine, suggested a possible formation of a SA branch. We communicated with Dr. J. Godden. The ANZSHM holds national biennial and other conferences, publishes a peer reviewed Journal : “Health and History” and a regular newsletter. The ANZSHM has proposed that an annual per capita rebate of 10 Dollars may be returned to our Society if it becomes a branch. Enrolment forms contain information about the web site, subscription fees and other activities. They will be available at our next general meeting.

Tony Slavotinek

2005

President’s Report 22.5.2005

The aim of the report is to outline the activities of the South Australian Medical Heritage Society for the past year and to acknowledge the cooperation and help of its numerous members.

The Museum idea has been temporarily suspended. Our current and more realistic aim is to seek a storage and display area. The former need only to be adequate and not necessarily co-located. It is intended to use the latter to display important activities in the development of medicine in South Australia. Themes such as the role of the Both Industries in the development of medical apparatus, the Fauldings company’s influence on the drug industry and its relation with the Braggs in developing SA radiology are important. Further topics such as Traeger and flying doctor radio, histories of individual SA hospitals or prominent medical persons and their role in medical progress are all topics worthy of individual and educational exhibits.

Our other aim, to establish a list of important SA medical heritage items has progressed well and we now have records of over 60 items of heritage importance. The lists record their structure, ownership, function and location. A good example is the current display during the History Trust week. The items are on loan from most of the major Adelaide Hospitals and from several private collectors. They reflect the good will and cooperation of these persons and Institutions. This will no doubt continue in the future and provide a basis for further exhibits.

The Society has also received several important donations. Among others they include the first Both electrocardiograph (1936), one of the first gastroscopes (1960) and the surgical instruments of Sir Leonard Lindon. We are grateful to Professor Donald Simpson who helped with the donation.

In addition to the monthly meetings of the management group, the Society held four general meetings. The first was a tour of the Keswick Military Museum. Our hosts were Colonels Swen Kuusk and Peter Byrne. At the Calvary Hospital. Dr. W Fuller talked about the history of Anaesthesia and Terry Omond showed us the museum.
Dr. Brian Fotheringham was our next host at St John Ambulance building in Unley, where Mr. Donald Beard talked about the life Sir Henry Simpson Newland. and showed us some of Sir Henry’s instruments. Finally the Department of Surgery at TQEH and Robyn Johnson provided the venue for our last meeting. Diane Gall talked about the history of the Fauldings Company and showed us their product samples and early photographs.

We have met with The Hon. Lea Stevens at the Parliament House. She is happy to continue as our Patron and valuable mentor.

A small group of us visited Mr. Bert Causby a retired Both technician, Torrence Island, Fauldings Library at Mayne Pharmaceuticals. Other visits were to Rose Wilson the archivist of the RAH Medical Heritage and History Society, who is loaning items to this exhibit and Paul McLarin a Churchill scholar and the last glass eye maker in Australia. He showed us how glass eyes are made.

Dr. John Couper-Smartt kindly designed a logo for our letterhead and developed a computer program for recording our acquired and listed items. Mr. Graham Truman was most generous with his advice about the development of Radiology in South Australia and has loaned us several items, (two tables) from his collection at the WCH Hospital for the exhibit. Dr. Brian Fothringham allowed us to photograph current and historical (1878) splints and body charts of St. John Ambulance. We saw Dr. Belinda Coyte’s collection and traced the Traeger radios at Alice Springs, Twin Stations and Port Augusta.

Dr. W. McLarty kindly provided us with the relevant articles about the lives of Mr. Douglas McKay and Dr. Charles Swann and donated a prototype glass eye to the Society.

John Heath kindly allowed us to use his articles documenting the Max Dreissig skeleton, the Both news paper articles and the life histories of SA’s Greats: “The men and women of the North Terrace plaques.” Kate Walsh and her team at the History Trust were most helpful and provided us with suggestions for our listing and acquisition policies.

They also published an article “ The Overview of Medical Collections in Adelaide” in this February edition of History Matters. The administration of the Glenside campus and Chris Sexton provided us with the venue and staff for the current exhibit and possibly future meetings.

The current theme, the documentation of the history and manufacture of nursing uniforms in SA, is nearing completion. Again the kind cooperation of prominent nurses at several Hospitals is most helpful. Our thanks are to Joan Durdin, Mary Slogget, Mary Collins and Rose Wilson with helpful suggestions, criticism and photo opportunities.

I believe that the future of this Society depends on the strong support of the archivists and curators of the various medical museums in Adelaide and country SA. The items in the current exhibit reflect their good will, cooperation and bide well for the future.
My final thanks are to the past president, David Boub and our secretary Trevor White Their help, guidance and advice are invaluable.

Tony Slavotinek

-o0o-