OBITUARYJames Robert Syme MD, FRACP, DDR, FRCR, FRANZCR, DDU, HonMIRDMU EXAMINATIONSMatt Byron tel +61 2 9958 7655email dmu@asum.com.auwill answer your questions aboutthe DMUDDU EXAMINATIONSMarie Cawoodtel +61 2 9958 7655 email ddu@asum.com.auwill answer your questions aboutthe DDUJim Syme, a much respected member ofASUM <strong>for</strong> some 30 years and a <strong>for</strong>merChairman of the Board of Exam<strong>in</strong>ersof the Diploma of Diagnostic<strong>Ultrasound</strong>, died <strong>in</strong> Melbourne onNovember 30, 2004, at the age of 76years. Throughout his membership, hewas a strong supporter of and a tirelessworker <strong>for</strong> the <strong>Society</strong>. He was electedto Life Membership at the <strong>Society</strong>’sAnnual General Meet<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> 2001, towidespread acclaim.A Queenslander by birth, Jim’s parentswere first generation Australians.His father was of Scottish extractionand his mother’s parents werePrussian.His <strong>in</strong>tellectual prowess was revealedearly on. He was dux of SandgateState School, Brisbane, <strong>in</strong> 1941 and <strong>in</strong>1945 was dux of Brisbane State HighSchool. Jim graduated MBBS from theUniversity of Queensland <strong>in</strong> 1951 hav<strong>in</strong>gga<strong>in</strong>ed five dist<strong>in</strong>ctions and six creditsdur<strong>in</strong>g the medical course.Postgraduate qualifications followedwith an MD (University ofMelbourne) <strong>in</strong> 1959; Membershipof the Royal <strong>Australasian</strong> Collegeof Physicians <strong>in</strong> 1959 (Fellowship,1971); Diploma of DiagnosticRadiology (University of Melbourne)<strong>in</strong> 1961; Fellowship of the now RoyalCollege of Radiologists, London, <strong>in</strong>1964; Membership of the now RoyalAustralian and New Zealand Collegeof Radiologists <strong>in</strong> 1962 (Fellowship,1969); Diploma of Diagnostic<strong>Ultrasound</strong> (ASUM) <strong>in</strong> 1982.Radiology became Jim’s chosenspecialty and a dist<strong>in</strong>guished careerfollowed dur<strong>in</strong>g which time he heldmany offices with<strong>in</strong> The RoyalAustralian and New Zealand Collegeof Radiologists. He was the recipientof several notable honours fromthe College. He was the ThomasBaker Memorial Fellow <strong>in</strong> 1964,Rohan Williams Travell<strong>in</strong>g Professor<strong>in</strong> 1979, received the Gold Medal ofthe College <strong>in</strong> 1984 and was elected toLife Membership <strong>in</strong> 1993.Jim was a member of the RANZCRCouncil from 1968 to 1991 and wasPresident of the College from 1989 to1990. He was Warden of the membershipof the RANZCR from 1970 to1988.His <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>in</strong> ultrasound wask<strong>in</strong>dled dur<strong>in</strong>g a sabbatical tour ofNorth America <strong>in</strong> 1972 when he metand observed the work of two notablepioneers <strong>in</strong> ultrasound – GeorgeLeopold <strong>in</strong> general ultrasound andRaymond Gramiak <strong>in</strong> echocardiography.He became <strong>in</strong>volved personally<strong>in</strong> the practice of ultrasound <strong>in</strong> thelate 1970s.Jim was a member of the ASUMCouncil from 1984 to 1987 and representedASUM on the <strong>Ultrasound</strong>Liaison Committee from 1984 to1987. He was a member of the Boardof Exam<strong>in</strong>ers of the DDU from 1987to 2000. He succeeded the late DrPeter Verco as Chairman of that Board<strong>in</strong> 1989 and held the position until2000 when he handed over to Dr ChrisWriedt.The appo<strong>in</strong>tment of a person ofJim Syme’s make-up and considerableadm<strong>in</strong>istrative and cl<strong>in</strong>ical experienceto the chairmanship of the DDUBoard was a <strong>for</strong>tunate one <strong>for</strong> ASUM.Dur<strong>in</strong>g his time as Chairman, Jimconsolidated the widespread respect<strong>for</strong> the DDU both as a diploma worthhav<strong>in</strong>g and <strong>for</strong> the rigour of its adm<strong>in</strong>istrativeprocesses and conduct of theactual exam<strong>in</strong>ation. Dur<strong>in</strong>g his timeas Chairman the DDU was awarded to136 medical practitioners.In 1957, Jim married HelenFitzgerald, a radiographer, and theyhad two sons, David and Cameron.He was a devoted family man whodoted on his two grandchildren. Hewas also a religious man to whomchurch life meant a lot. From Lutheranorig<strong>in</strong>s, he jo<strong>in</strong>ed the Anglican Churchafter he married and <strong>for</strong> many yearswas the ‘welcom<strong>in</strong>g committee’ at the8 am Sunday service at his church.Jim collected stamps from childhoodand was very <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong> co<strong>in</strong>ageand history (especially Australianand European). But his real passion <strong>in</strong>life was medical imag<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> all areasand ASUM was very much a beneficiaryof this passion.His work <strong>for</strong> the DDU Board wascarried out <strong>in</strong> his own time with thewill<strong>in</strong>g support and help of Helento whom the <strong>Society</strong> is also greatly<strong>in</strong> debt. In both his private and professionallife he was a perfectionist,<strong>in</strong>tensely loyal, had a healthy reserveand could be counted on never tobetray a confidence.Jim was a shy person but washappy to go to meet<strong>in</strong>gs where heknew people – he never missed aCollege or ASUM Annual ScientificMeet<strong>in</strong>g. Despite his <strong>in</strong>capacitat<strong>in</strong>gterm<strong>in</strong>al illness he registered <strong>for</strong> boththe ASUM and RANZCR ASMs <strong>in</strong>late 2004 but <strong>in</strong> the end was too ill toattend.An icon of probity, Jim Syme wasa giant <strong>in</strong> medical imag<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Australiaand New Zealand. The <strong>in</strong>ternationalreputation of the DDU was underp<strong>in</strong>neddur<strong>in</strong>g his stewardship and successivepresidents of the <strong>Society</strong> feltprivileged to have had ready access tohis advices and experience as ASUM’saffairs became more sophisticated and<strong>in</strong>ternational.To Helen and her family, the membershipof ASUM extends its s<strong>in</strong>ceresympathy.48 ASUM <strong>Ultrasound</strong> Bullet<strong>in</strong> 2005 August; 8 (3)
Reach Sonographersthrough the<strong>Ultrasound</strong> Bullet<strong>in</strong>✔ Appo<strong>in</strong>tments✔ Locums✔ Partnerships✔ Conferences✔ Workshops✔ Rooms/ EquipmentAdvertis<strong>in</strong>g salesM<strong>in</strong>nis Communicationstel +61 3 9824 5241fax +61 3 9824 5247email m<strong>in</strong>nis@m<strong>in</strong>niscomms.com.auPractical <strong>Ultrasound</strong> Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>gWith the AIUEDUCATION FOR THE MEDICALPROFESSION SINCE 1985HOME STUDY COURSES IN ALLASPECTS OF DIAGNOSTIC MEDICALULTRASOUND INCLUDING:BREAST, MUSCULOSKELETAL,ABDOMEN, OBSTETRICS,GYNAECOLOGY,ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY,NEUROSONOLOGYAND VASCULARVISIT OUR WEBSITE:WWW.BURWIN.COMFor 10 years the AustralianInstitute of <strong>Ultrasound</strong> hasoffered a range of proven, ‘handson’, <strong>in</strong>tensive workshops <strong>for</strong> the<strong>Ultrasound</strong> PractitionerCourses Com<strong>in</strong>g Up Soon■ 3D <strong>Ultrasound</strong> Techniques■ Intensive Vascular FastTrack■ Advanced Vascular Techniques■ Practical Echocardiography Workshop■ O&G ultrasound FastTrack■ Specialist workshops <strong>for</strong> various Po<strong>in</strong>t ofCare options – see the website <strong>for</strong> detailsCome and jo<strong>in</strong> us <strong>in</strong> 2005Check the website or your annual booklet <strong>for</strong>dates, or just give us a callF<strong>in</strong>d out more, contact us:On-l<strong>in</strong>e www.aiu.edu.auEmail: tony@aiu.edu.auPhone: (07) 5526 6655Fax: (07) 5526 6041ASUM <strong>Ultrasound</strong> Bullet<strong>in</strong> 2005 August; 8 (3)49
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