The 11th Annual AMA Oration
The 11th Annual AMA Oration - in honour of the late Professor Ian Charles O'Rourke - was delivered today by Northern Territory Chief Minister, The Honourable Clare Martin, at the opening ceremony of the AMA National Conference in Darwin.
In introducing the Chief Minister, AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, described Professor O'Rourke as brilliant surgeon with a heart of gold and a life-long commitment to social justice.
Dr Glasson said Professor O'Rourke was also an academic, teacher, family man and valued member of the community - who died too young from lung cancer last year.
Ian was raised in Orange, NSW, and studied medicine at Sydney University - supporting himself and his family by driving trucks and taxis. Ian's father had died young.
While a student, Ian rowed for NSW and played Firsts Rugby for Sydney Uni.
He was also a man with a social conscience and attended anti-war marches in the 1960s and 1970s and openly displayed his Labor ideals.
Ian trained in surgery at Royal North Shore and became a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 1973 and the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1974.
He returned to Orange and was a visiting surgeon to Orange, Parkes, Forbes and Wellington Hospitals.
He became a Senior Staff Specialist, Clinical Senior Lecturer, Clinical Director of Medical Services and Emeritus Consultant to Westmead Hospital - all the while gaining an international reputation in oesophageal surgery.
Ian's lifelong desire to help his fellow man, particularly those less privileged, took shape in 1992 when Ian surprised colleagues by taking leave to serve as a medical Officer in the Aboriginal Medical Service at Redfern.
His strong beliefs and passion to help saw him move to Cairns as a community surgeon in 1996 to provide surgical services to remote Aboriginal communities in Cape York.
He came to Darwin in 1997 as Associate Professor of Surgery in the new NT Clinical School of Flinders University at Royal Darwin Hospital.
His commitment, his reputation and his skill as a surgeon and a teacher grew and grew. He was a committed and tireless clinician. Ian championed the Specialist Outreach Services. He served the remote communities at Port Keats, Galiwinku and Gove. He established the NT's first diabetic foot service, which dramatically reduced amputations and hospital stays.
Ian had achieved a lot in his time in the Territory, but he and his wife, Trish, returned to Sydney in 2001 to be close to their two daughters and their grandchildren.
Ian continued working as Chief Executive Officer of the NSW Institute for Clinical Excellence up until two weeks before his death in August last year.
Dr Glasson said Professor Ian O'Rourke's life and career were all about justice, fairness and compassion.
"He wanted to make life better for the underprivileged, and he was passionate about improving Indigenous Health.
"His work and his good character will be long remembered and cherished."
A copy Of Chief Minister's Oration can be obtained by contacting her office or by calling Judith Tokley on 0408 824 306.
27 May 2005
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306