89th RACS Congress - Lismore Virtual Hub attendees at the Loft
89th RACS Congress - Lismore Virtual Hub attendees at the Loft

The RACS Annual Scientific Congress was held this year from 10 to 14th May 2021. The ASC is the College’s major educational annual activity and was held in Melbourne this year. Owing to restricted “in person” numbers and Covid19 concerns, a virtual congress option was available this year for the first time. Virtual “Hubs” were promoted as a way for surgeons to enjoy the event in a conference like setting together without having to travel to Melbourne.

Lismore was lucky to host a hub and a virtual ASC was held at Invercauld House in Goonellabah. The setting was scenic and the facilities excellent for such an event. The Lismore Hub ran from Tuesday 11th May to Friday 14th May and was well attended by consultants, registrars and retired surgeons. For the first time in many years, urology joined the RACS ASC program instead of having a separate urology specific scientific.

On Thursday evening, a conference dinner was organised at The Loft. It was a fun filled night and was an opportunity for the various surgical specialties to convene in a social setting.

Many thanks to Avant, Applied Medical and BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) who sponsored the Lismore Hub and to Nordocs who helped facilitate the meeting. 

Special thanks to my fellow organisers Dr David Townend, Dr Gratian Punch and Sandie Clarke who helped make the "virtual hub" a reality.