E.S. Meyers Memorial Lecture
The Errol Solomon Meyers Memorial Lecture is the premier academic event on the University of Queensland Medical Society’s calendar, bringing a world-class orator to address the UQMS community.
About
The E.S. Meyers Memorial Lecture, now in its 67th year, is the premier academic event on the University of Queensland Medical Society calendar, attracting students, staff and alumni, as well as the greater Brisbane community. As a reflection of Professor E.S. Meyers’ life, the lecture creates a forum for a noteworthy individual to weave together aspects of health, community, and social justice through reflection on their own life and achievement. Each year, the Medical Society invites a luminary in the field of medicine, science, sports, arts, literature or diplomacy to give the keynote address. Past speakers have included: biologist Lord Robert Winston; cricketer and politician lmran Khan; Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty; author Lord Jeffrey Archer; and mountaineer and diplomat Sir Edmund Hillary.
Errol Solomon Meyers
The Faculty of Medicine was established in 1936 after five decades of advocacy for a medical school in what was to become the state of Queensland. Many laboured to achieve the opportunity for careers in medicine for young Queensland men and women.
One of the acknowledged founding fathers was Dr Errol Solomon Meyers. A pioneer in professional health education in Queensland, he was a leader in postgraduate medical education and undergraduate and postgraduate dental education prior to the establishment of the Faculties of Medicine and Dentistry at The University of Queensland in 1936. From 1925 he was a leader in postgraduate medical education courses conducted at the British Medical Association (Queensland Branch), and was the doyen of surgical anatomy. A general surgeon and teacher of singular ability, E. S. Meyers taught anatomy and surgical dissection to dental students in Brisbane from 1922, establishing an Anatomy School within the dental hospital in George Street in 1927. From that time Dr Meyers brought the strength of his considerable personality to bear on the need to establish a School of Medicine in Queensland, a triumph achieved finally on 13 March 1936.
In July 1957, the year after the death of this founding father, the UQMS established the Errol Solomon Meyers Memorial Lecture to honour his contributions to medicine in general, and to his role as one of the most significant founders of the Medical School in Queensland in particular. As a reflection of the ethos of “Joe” Meyers’ life this Memorial Lecture, which this year celebrates its 61st anniversary, comprises a forum for a person of distinction to present a perspective of endeavour and achievement.
Past Speakers
2024: Jana Pittman
World Champion, first Aussie woman for both Summer and Winter Olympics, O&G Registrar and dedicated mother – “Changing the Beat of your Drum”
2023: Joe Brumm
Creator, Writer and Director of the animated series ‘Bluey’ – “Creating the Biggest Little Show on Earth”
2022: Steven Bradbury
The Southern Hemisphere’s 1st Winter Olympic Gold Medalist – “Last Man Standing”
2021: Mr. Li Cunxin AO
Artistic Director of Queensland Ballet and award-winning author of ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’ – “The Pursuit of Excellence”
2021: Dr. Vijay Roach
President of The Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
2019: Professor Allan Duffy
Research Fellow at Swinburne University and Lead Scientist of the Royal Institution of Australia – “Sick Astro”
2018: Ms Leigh Sales
Journalist and Author – “Blindsides, resilience and what happens after the worst day of your life”
2017: Associate Professor Munjed Al Muderis
Orthopaedic Surgeon – ” From Iraq to Osseointegration”
2016: Dr Ranjana Srivastava
Oncologist, Writer & Educator – “Ars Longa Vita Brevis (Life is Short, the Art Long): Reflections on the Makings of a Good Doctor”
2015: Professor Megan Davis
Chair and Expert Member, United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues -“An International and Domestic Law Perspective on the Health and Wellbeing of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People”
2014: Dr Mark Loane AM
National Chair, Indigenous and Remote Eye Health Service – “Reflections on 20 Years of Remote Eye Health”
2013: Dr Nicholas Coatsworth
Past President, Mèdecins sans Frontières Australia – “Unexpected Journeys: From Darfur to Darwin”
2012: Dr James Moreton
Founder, World’s Greatest Shave – “Sliding Doors”
2011: The Honourable Michael Kirby Retired Judge,
High Court of Australia – “HIV/AIDS and Law Reform: Desperate Need to Move Mountains”
2010: Dr Paul Luckin
Commander, Royal Naval Reserve – “Disasters, Rescue and Retrieval”
2009: Dr Rowan Gilles
Past President of International Mèdecins sans Frontières – “Challenges in Humanitarian Assistance”
2008: Professor Graeme Clark
Inventer, Bionic Ear – “The Multi-channel Cochlear Implant; the First Clinically
Successful Sensory Interface Between the World of Sound and Human Consciousness”
2007: Dr Charles Teo
Paediatric Neurosurgeon – “That Which Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger”
2006: Clinical Professor Fiona Wood
2005 Australian of the Year – “Striving for Excellence in Health Care”
2005: Professor William P. Schecter
Professor of Clinical Surgery, UCSF – “Terrorist Mass Casualty Events in Israel: Historical Context and Clinical Management”
2004: Robert C. Gallo
Director, Institute of Virology, University of Maryland – “HIV in the third decade. Lessons from the Past Experiences and Future Prospects”
2003: Professor Jonathan Sprent
Professor of Immunology, The Scripps Research Institute, California – “T Cells and the Thymus”
2002: Professor Alan Trounson
“Discussing Embryos and Embryonic Stem Cells: Creating New Medical Directions”
2001: Professor Earl Owen
Microsurgery Pioneer – “Microsurgical Reflections, First Hand”
2000: Lord Robert Winston
Professor of Fertility Studies, London – “Will We Still Be Human at the End of the 21st Century?”
1999: Dr Mike Toole
International Health Physician, Mèdecins sans Frontières – “Public Health Responses to Humanitarian Crises”
1998: Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
Julius Sumner Miller Fellow, University of Sydney – “Great Moments in Science”
1997: Dr Peter Doherty
1996 Nobel Prize Recipient for Medicine – “How We Deal With Viral Infections”
1996: Professor Grant Sutherland
International President of the Human Genome Project – “The Human Genome Project and Medical Practice in the 21st Century”
1995: The Right Hon Lord Jeffrey Archer
Internationally acclaimed British author and former Member of Parliament – “It Takes Nineteen Hours a Day to be a Best-seller”
1994: Mr Imran Khan
International Cricketer and Humanitarian – “From Centuries to Service”
1993: Mrs Gabi Hollows
Fred Hollows Foundation – “Vision and Outreach”
1992: Sir Edmund Hillary
Mountaineer and Diplomat – “After Everest: Health, Religion and Education in the Himalayas”
1991: Dr Struan Sutherland
Commonwealth Serum Laboratories – “Reflections on Venomous Pursuits”
1990: Professor Dame Sheila Sherlock Emeritus
Professor, University of London – “Alcohol and the Liver”
1989: The Right Hon Neal Blewett Federal
Minister for Health and Community Services – “Care, Concern and Conscience”
1988: Dr Victor Chang
Cardiac Surgeon – “The Australian Heart Transplant Programme – Past Progress and Future Dreams”
1987: Professor Sir Gustav
Nossal Director, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne – “Vision of a New Therapeutic Future”
1986: Dr Max Lake
Surgeon, Wine Producer – “The Excitement of Wine”
1985: Professor D Penington
Vice-Chancellor, University of Melbourne – “The Future of Medical Practice in Australia”
1984: Professor H Baddeley
Radiologist – “The Shandong Medical School in China”
1983: Professor A Guyton
Physiologist – ”Hypertension: A Current Analysis”
1982: Professor D Saunders
Gynaecologist – “In Vitro Fertilization”
1981: Professor N Lickiss
Specialist Community Health – “The Quality of Life and Death: The Possibilities and Limits of Medical Practice”
1980: Professor L Opit
Specialist Social and Preventive Medicine – “Medical Practice in Australia”
1979: Professor E Parry
Physician – “Health and Urban Change in Africa”
1978: Dr N Groots
“Autism in Indians: An Unspoken Problem”
1977: Professor Charles Kerr
Specialist Community Health – “Uranium and Health”
1976: Professor D Llewelly-Jones
Gynaecologist – “Talking Doctors”
1975: Professor T Szasz
Psychiatrist 1974: Dr W Gillies Ophthalmologist – “China: A Medical Visitor’s Viewpoint”
1973: Dr P Erbech
1972: Dr Bevan
1971: Professor H Seeliger
Specialist in Tropical Medicine – “The Development of Social and Preventive Medicine in Western Africa”
1970: Sir Percy Spender
Former President, International Court
1969: Dr (later Sir) Evan Thomson
Surgeon – “Training in Surgery”
1968: Professor (later Sir) Martin Roth
Psychiatrist – “The Changing Concept of Medical Education”
1967: Dr M Carseldine
General Practitioner – “A GP Reminisces”
1966: Dr D Jackson
Paediatrician – “Changing Attitudes to Paediatrics over the Last 30 Years”
1965: Dr T O’Leary
Flying Doctor – “Aerial Medical Evacuation With Special Emphasis on the Precautions Necessary in Particular Circumstances”
1964: Dr K Hirschfeld
Surgeon – “Some Aspects of Medical Education”
1963: Professor D Gordon
Dean, Faculty of Medicine – “Memories of Joe”
1962: Dr WJ Saxton
Radiologist – “The Person” 1961: Dr AE Lee Surgeon – “Voluntary Health Insurance in Australia”
1960: Dr GAC Douglas
Orthopaedic Surgeon
1959: Dr FWR Lukin
Urologist – “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”
1958: Dr LJJ Nye
Physician
1957: Professor N G Sutton
Dean, Faculty of Medicine – “Comprehensive Medicine”
Contact Us
facebook.com/esmeyersmemoriallecture
esmeyers@uqms.org