The challenges of the Pandemic have provided opportunities for us to look at how we communicate, educate, treat our patients and of course socialise, in a socially distanced, technologically enabled world.

We are no longer travelling across town, the state or the nation, but meeting virtually. I was recently a remote virtual examiner for the Fellowship exam, which despite the inevitable minor hitches, went well. I would like to congratulate those that have recently passed the Fellowship exam.  It was very important that the exams were conducted in a manner that is equivalent to previous exams, and it was a credit to our College that we were one of the few Speciality Colleges anywhere in the world to successfully conduct national examinations this year. Thanks also to all those current and past examiners that worked tirelessly and of course pro bono, to meticulously plan and test systems, to deliver this decentralised examination.  Especially we acknowledge our own Chris Pyke (Chair, Court of Examiners) and Julie Mundy (Vice President and Chair, Exams Project Working Party – Covid-19 affected examinations).  I also appreciate the work undertaken by college staff in coordinating the Qld delivery of examinations and examiners. 
 
Similarly, with the 2021 ASC the College is looking to utilise our newfound affinity with Zoom and other technology to present a decentralised hybrid program. You will be able to congregate in groups (within state Covid-19 safe guidelines) and have world-class speakers streamed to the facility where you are meeting. Conversely, you may decide to log in from home. More information and details, on the local Hubs that will be developed to support the hosting venue that will be in Melbourne, will be available in the coming weeks. 

A key focus for the Queensland State Committee continues to be ensuring regional surgical service delivery and a stable regional surgical workforce. The committee is working with government on the SOSS Program (Save Ours Surgical Services).
 
Our motivation as a Fellow of this college should be patient care and thus being professional with patients, staff and colleagues. Unfortunately, we are all involved in situations where Fellows are behaving in a manner that is less than professional. I'm reminded to raise this after recently hosting our inaugural Past Chairs and Younger Fellows Dinner. The intention was both to honour the contribution to our College and our practice of surgery by these outstanding Fellows and therefore inspire the current generation to aspire to the same involvement in surgical standards, governance and education to benefit the future of surgery.  The short speeches given at the dinner by each chair were notable for the universal drive being not ego, not money and not power, but a genuine desire to improve surgical outcomes and ensure that the next generation of surgeons and patients have access to the best in training and quality care.  Can we all reflect that our behaviour at work is driven by the same humanity?  Without this selfless dedication to improving training and standards, our College cannot provide surgeons with proper skills for the future emergencies of our country’s children and grandchildren.
 
Surgical leadership guides our daily practice and never so importantly than when there is crisis.  We are proud of our leaders during the challenges of the last year. 
 
Take care and look out for each other.

Adjunct Professor Deborah Bailey
Chair Queensland State Committee