What reminds us clearly of why our College and our contributions matter?

For me, the answer comes every time I attend one of RANZCOG’s elevation ceremonies. Throughout my years on the RANZCOG Board, and now as President, these occasions have remained one of the most rewarding parts of my role.

In June, I had the privilege of attending the Aotearoa elevation ceremony, held on the Sunday evening before the Annual Scientific Meeting. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our newly elevated Fellows, subspecialists and award recipients, and to recognise the hard work, commitment and dedication that underpin these significant achievements.

What stays with me most is not the formality of the ceremony. It is the smiles on the faces of our colleagues, the pride of their families and friends, and the heartfelt applause that fills the room. It is also the privilege of watching our newest members go on to flourish in the areas of practice they are most passionate about. These moments remind me why we are all here: to support, encourage and inspire the next generation of leaders, just as those who came before us supported us on our own journeys.

In June, RANZCOG also welcomed candidates to Djeembana, College Place in Melbourne for the 2026 FRANZCOG Selection interviews – an important milestone that will help determine the careers of many aspiring obstetricians and gynaecologists. These interviews represent the culmination of a significant amount of preparation by candidates and a considerable collective effort from our College community.

I would like to thank the many members, trainees and consumer representatives who generously gave their time to participate in the selection process. You play a vital role in ensuring we continue to identify the right individuals to carry our profession forward, as well as supporting and developing our future workforce.

It has also been a season of thoughtful discussion and collaboration across the College, with three roundtables held throughout June and July.

Reducing birth trauma remains a priority for RANZCOG and our members and trainees. On 24 June, RANZCOG convened the first national roundtable on birth trauma, at Djeembana, College Place. Supported by Birth Trauma Australia, the roundtable assembled clinicians, midwives, policymakers, sector leaders, and women with lived experience.

I commend the women who so generously shared their lived experiences of birth trauma, speaking with remarkable courage about the profound physical, emotional and social impacts they continue to face.

I also thank the members who reflected on the cumulative stress and vicarious trauma that can accompany our work. These discussions reinforced an important truth: that providing compassionate, trauma-informed care also requires us as clinicians to prioritise the wellbeing of our workforce.

Following these powerful conversations, the College has developed its Birth Trauma Roundtable Final Report, containing several recommendations which reflect our commitment to meaningful reform through collaboration and evidence-based practice. Delivering lasting change will require coordinated action across governments, health services and the wider sector, and I encourage all members to read the report.

Workforce remains another critical focus for the College. The Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing recently released its Obstetrics and Gynaecology Supply and Demand Compendium Report. Using workforce supply and demand modelling to 2048, the report projected an ongoing and increasing national shortage of O&G specialists in Australia, despite workforce growth. Members of the Council also heard from relevant committee representatives about the workforce crises facing the O&G subspecialities during their most recent meeting.

In response RANZCOG convened the Women’s Health Roundtable, bringing together O&G trainees, Fellows and members, jurisdictional and national government representatives – including the Health Minister for Victoria and the National Rural Health Commissioner – as well as midwifery and other sector leaders. The session facilitated constructive discussion and knowledge sharing between clinicians and policymakers. It provided a platform to share perspectives, collectively discuss and identify current and future workforce challenges, showcase state-led examples of good practice, and explore practical opportunities for national collaboration.

The College looks forward to publishing its final report from the roundtable and progressing the recommendations alongside all professions involved in delivering multidisciplinary women’s healthcare.

Of course, effective sector collaboration is also essential in solving these problems and progressing our collective mission. As a community of professionals, we are all committed to equitable, accessible, inclusive and evidence-based healthcare for women and families. In July, RANZCOG convened the first partnership roundtable, bringing together representatives of societies and associations from across the full-spectrum of O&G to explore how we can better work together to maximise our collective impact.

It is in all of our interests to work collaboratively to make the noise required to achieve our aims. This roundtable was all about building bridges, creating meaningful relationships between our organisations and finding new ways to advocate and support O&Gs with a more united voice. I very much look forward to ongoing conversations with our partners.

As I reflect on the past two months, I am struck by a common thread running through each of these activities. Whether celebrating the achievements of our newest members and awards winners, selecting the next generation of specialists, or bringing together diverse voices to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing our specialty, our College and its impact is at its best when we come together with a shared sense of purpose.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed their time to these important initiatives. Your commitment continues to strengthen our profession, our College and, most importantly, the care we provide to women and their families across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

I look forward to sharing further updates with you in the months ahead.

Dr Nisha Khot
RANZCOG President