Welcome

Mr Chip Farmer, President of the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand and Mr Jamie Keck, Chairman of the Section of Colorectal Surgery, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons invite all health professionals interested in colorectal disease and its management to register for our annual colorectal spring CME meeting.

The local organising committee, Hung Nguyen and David Lloyd, has booked a beautiful venue for the meeting at the Country Club Casino, Launceston Tasmania. The scientific program will consist of eight sessions spread over three days with afternoon social events on the second day. This year guest speaker is Jose Guillem who is the director of the Familial Cancer Registry and one of the major colorectal surgeons with extensive interest in all aspects of colorectal oncology from the Sloane-Kettering Hospital NY. The program has been structured to allow family recreation and socialising with colleagues.

Launceston is the Northern gateway to Tasmania. This gracious city, the third oldest city of Australia, is spectacular in October each year with spring blossoms lining the streets, its numerous parks and heritage buildings. It is a short drive from the Tamar valley and its numerous vineyards. For the more adventurous and hardy, there are the renowned Cradle Mountain National Park to the West and the Bay of Fire walk on the East Coast. The highland lakes are famous for fly-fishing and golfing enthusiasts should not miss the opportunity to visit the Barnbougle Dunes, Australia top ranked public golf course.

The after dinner Speaker this year is Professor Greg Woods who is the professor of immunology at the University of Tasmania. He has researched extensively into the Devil facial tumour disease, which has threatened this still mysterious species. He has fascinating insights and anecdotes into how this malevolent disease came to exist and what can we do about stopping it. The night promises to be a quintessential Tasmanian affair not to forget.