Prof Geoffrey Laurence Driscoll OAM

(1947 – 2016)

Geoffrey Driscoll was born on 13 March 1947, in a small private hospital, in humble circumstances. Through his determination and diligence, after an early education disrupted by polio and its aftermath, he gained entry into medical school. He graduated MBBS in 1972, obtained his Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MRCOG) in 1975, and obtained Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCSEd) in 1978. Geoff obtained Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRACOG) in 1979 and, following the amalgamation of the Australian and New Zealand Colleges, was admitted as a Fellow of RANZCOG in 1998.

He followed his initial training in Australia with further experience in Poole and Oxford in the UK. At Oxford, he developed his interest in reproductive medicine and was invited to return to Sydney to help establish the new department of O&G at Westmead Hospital and to start an infertility clinic. This was followed by the establishment of his private practice, Integrated Fertility Services, which was among the first IVF clinics in Australia. Later renamed City West IVF, this fertility service subsequently became the foundation practice of IVF Australia, now part of Virtus. Throughout all this commercial activity, Geoff’s commitment remained to patient-centred care. His irrepressible energy made him immensely popular among his patients and staff.

Geoff was, variously, a College Training Supervisor, examiner and representative on various national committees. He was a foundation member of the Fertility Society of Australia, a council member, Chairman of the IVF Directors’ Group, and subsequently elected a life member of the Society in 2006. He was also Chair of the Reproductive Technologies Accreditation Committee. His contribution to O&G and the field of reproduction medicine was recognised in the 2014 Honours List with an OAM.

Geoff was totally committed in all his endeavours, both professional and social. His family was central to his life and his generosity to his friends was a hallmark. He loved his work, his sailing and his golf. Above all, he loved and cared for his family.

Geoff died on 5 October 2016, after retiring in September 2016, and is survived by Jan, his childhood sweetheart and wife of 46 years, his three daughters and nine grandchildren.