With 2025 nearly upon us, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the significant progress we have made together as a College in 2024.  

This year has been one of transformation with the historic overhaul of our governance model. After extensive consultation with Fellows, we have an updated Constitution to strengthen our financial and risk management, ensuring a more robust and professional organisation for the future.

A key component of this update involves the creation of a skills-based Board. This new structure aims to improve the operations of the College while preserving the important role of member representation and connectivity through Council.  

We are now in the transitional phase as outlined in the Constitution. While we currently have five directors appointed until 30 June 2025, our focus over the next six months is to establish the skills-based Board.

The best way to derive value from your College membership is to get involved. I encourage you to take every opportunity to engage with College activities any way you can.  

The next steps will be establishing a formal nominations committee. A governance working group is developing a skills matrix by which the nominations committee can assess suitable candidates obtained through expressions of interest.

Governance reform won’t end with the establishment of the Board. We recognise that greater representation, inclusivity and connection are crucial for the College. With up to a third of Councillors moving on from their positions following the 2024 Council elections, there is a real opportunity for renewal. I welcome and congratulate the newly elected members of Council.  We are also committed to revisiting Council regulations to better embed representation ensuring a strong voice for groups from across the membership.   

The other key priorities for 2025 are member engagement and actively seeking ways to deliver better value to our members. We’re working to reduce costs, enhance services, and provide tailored support to our members while maintaining the financial viability of the College. We know our strength comes from you, our Fellows, and I encourage you to take every opportunity to get involved with College activities. I can say from experience that that is the best way to derive value from your membership.

Looking beyond 2025, I am happy to say plans are well under way for the College centenary celebrations in 2027. We’re planning a year of festivities and commemorations with key touch points including the 2027 Melbourne ASC, and a gala to mark the first official meeting of the College Council in Ōtipoti Dunedin in February 1927. There will be other activities planned locally, which many of you will be able to get involved with. I want to thank the Centenary Planning Committee, and also many other interested Fellows for their enthusiasm and inspiring ideas. I co-chair the Centenary Planning Committee with past president, Associate Professor Michael Hollands. His thoughts on the purpose of the commemorations in 2027: “I want to see surgeons of all stripes connecting and engaging. I want it to feel inclusive. 

“It is a chance both to promote our proud history of the College and the surgical profession. It’s also an opportunity to look ahead and open discussions about where and how we want to develop for a successful and productive future.”

Our sentiments aligns with the College’s strategic direction generally and I’m feeling excited and a sense of real optimism for the years ahead.

I wish you joy and happiness for the festive break and look forward to reconnecting in the New Year.

Professor Owen Ung
Vice President
Chair Governance Committee
Chair International Engagement