I write this piece as the acting CEO; Alana Killen concluded her term as CEO at Christmas time. I wish to take this opportunity to thank Alana for her dedication and hard work at the College. We look forward to welcoming our new CEO, Vase Jovanoska, who will formally commence in the role in late February.

Facilities and buildings

The Queensland Regional Office has relocated to Suite 2, Level 2, 56 Little Edward Street, Spring Hill. Sylvia Williamson and Laura Grummitt can assist with any enquiries. Likewise, the Western Australian Regional Office has relocated to 34 Harrogate Street, West Leederville. Carly Moorfield will assist with any enquiries. A business case is currently well underway for the redevelopment of the College House site. It is anticipated that by mid-year, members will be able to view the plans and provide feedback for the design.

RANZCOG Women’s Health Foundation

The new RANZCOG Women’s Health Foundation Board membership has been established. Planning has commenced for 2019, and the finalisation of the Foundation’s strategic plan will be available by March. On 31 January 2019, applications opened for the Liam and Frankie Davison Award for literary excellence in women’s health.

Patient Information Pamphlets

The College has switched print providers for the sale and distribution of RANZCOG Patient Information Pamphlets. Following user testing, a new and improved print portal went live in December. The transition to the new portal has been seamless.

FSEP

The program is continuing to grow with 300 sessions already booked for 2019. An Educators Day was held on 25 January to review and prepare educator presentations, assessments and program content.

Endometriosis project

RANZCOG was awarded a contract by the Department of Health to develop an Australian clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and management of endometriosis in line with the National Action Plan for Endometriosis 2018. It is anticipated that the project will run for two years. RANZCOG formalised the contract with DOH on 12 December 2018, and has already begun the ground work for the roll out of the project. An Expert Working group will be established to oversee the development of the guideline. The DOH has also provided a grant for the College to develop endometriosis online learning resources for primary care providers to raise awareness and improve the diagnosis and management of endometriosis, including the development of an online screening tool to assist practitioners in identifying the symptoms of endometriosis.

Training Support Unit

The TSU are developing a new workshop for trainees. The workshop, called Thrive, will be launched and delivered on 21 February in Melbourne. The series of workshops will be delivered to the regions over the course of 2019.

RANZCOG website

Substantial work is underway for improving the user experience on the RANZCOG website. The new website will include:

• Members-only content (authenticated via a single my.RANZCOG sign in). This addition revitalises member value as well as securing important assets.
• Forms are being converted to electronic versions where possible. This update has been utilised on the Trainee Classified listings and streamlines administration. The Specialist Employment list now also has a checkbox to highlight subspecialty positions.
• Prevocational Pathway (PVP) page, for prevocational doctors interested in a career in obstetrics and gynaecology, added to the site (www.ranzcog.edu.au/pvp).

Preparatory work is taking place to explore the site’s capacity to house a payment gateway for Foundation donations. Work is scoping at this stage, and needs to be discussed further with finance and IT directorates before proceeding, but the addition may provide an uncomplicated and secure way to receive funds from non-members.

Events 2019

Annual Scientific Meeting

• 2018 ASM – Adelaide
  The post ASM accounts are being finalised. The budget is forecasting a surplus.
• 2019 ASM – Melbourne
  Arrangements for the 2019 ASM are progressing well. The ASM website went live in December and the Call for Abstracts opened on Tuesday 28 January.
• 2020 ASM – Hobart
  The Events Team conducted a site visit in December and booked the ASM venue for 2019, the Grand Chancellor Hobart.
• 2021 FIGO – Sydney

Of note, there is not scope to run Diplomates Days within the FIGO schedule. The events team will support the Regions to ensure that a range of Diplomates Days are available during 2021.

Equally, newly elevated Fellows will not be eligible for complimentary tickets, as they are at the ASM. The Events team will offer support at RSMs if an elevation ceremony is part of the program. Newly elevated Fellows may choose to wait until 2022, when the ASM program will include a Presentation Ceremony, and complimentary tickets will be available for new Fellows.

Roger Gabb

Roger Gabb was appointed as the inaugural Director of Education and Training at RANZCOG in 1986. He worked at the College for 10 years and implemented some major transformational changes to the College assessment processes, including the introduction of standardised criterion-referenced examinations, examiner selection and training, and the oral exam as it stands. Originally trained as a vet, Roger also held a PhD in reproductive physiology and master’s degrees in education and public health. On his retirement from the College, he was made an Honorary Fellow (eundem) of RANZCOG. Dr Gabb passed away on 20 December after a brief illness. A memorial was held for him in early January and was well attended by College members, including former president Dr John Campbell and former Council members Prof Caroline de Costa and A/Prof Robert Bryce. We wish to acknowledge his great contribution to the College and express our sympathies to Roger’s family. An obituary, written by Dr John Campbell, can be found on page 95.