Close to and far from the origins

Abstract

Paediatric surgeons in Australia and New Zealand have had a close relationship with the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons (BAPS). In the first 15 years after the foundation of BAPS, 17 Australian and one New Zealand paediatric surgeons became members of BAPS, of whom, 11 are still alive. Currently, 32 Australians and 6 New Zealanders are members. At least 24 current UK members of BAPS received a substantial period of their paediatric surgical training in Australia. Conversely, at least 21 Australian and New Zealand paediatric surgeons have received training under UK BAPS members. The Founding Father of BAPS, Sir Denis Browne, was an Australian who completed his schooling and medical course in Australia. This article describes the Australian connection—his ancestral background, the influences that conditioned his childhood and adolescence, his University course, and his war service in WW1. He settled in England after the war and did not return to Australia until well into retirement. A further interaction between surgeons “down under” and BAPS has been the sharing of ideas in the development of training programs for paediatric surgeons. An FRACS Diploma in Paediatric Surgery (Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons) was instituted as early as 1957, and Specialist Surgical Societies (including the Australasian Association of Paediatric Surgeons) have been integrated into the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons to the benefit of both parties. Similar developments have more recently occurred in the United Kingdom, where BAPS is represented in the Councils of the Royal Colleges.