Official Opening of the 11th Annual Scientific Meeting of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Conference

A speech delievered by His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Administrator of the Commonwealth of Australia:

I extend a warm Queensland welcome to all, in particular to visitors to our State who are attending this important conference. 

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus once observed that no one can ever step in the same river twice – his metaphor for the constantly changing environment we live in.

It might be a little early in the day for Greek philosophy. However, I thought the citation apt, given that one major preoccupation of your conference is change.     

Certainly the suite of professions that we still call simply “radiography” has changed rapidly over the 120 years or so since the x-ray became the first medical imaging tool to look inside a living body without invasive surgery.  

In the 21^st century, x-rays are but one of the many tools that medical imaging employs. And we “lay people” casually throw around terms like ultrasound, CAT scans and MRIs.

The accuracy and clarity of these highly detailed images, and their usefulness in diagnosis and treatment, are due to the skill and experience of medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals.

The Australian Institute of Radiography is, in turn, the guardian of those high levels of skill and experience required, through its standards-setting, registration, and professional development programs.

As someone who has been closely associated, both before and after I became Governor, with State and national organisations focused on cancer research and treatment, I speak for our communities thanking the Institute and its members for the very important role that you all play in serving the health needs of our communities.

I acknowledge the challenges to and opportunities for the Institute in the ever-broadening roles and influence of medical imaging professionals.  I wish you well in deciding on the institutional changes required to reflect those challenges.   

I hope you have some opportunity to enjoy the many attractions of our capital city.

I look forward to presenting awards to distinguished members of the Institute shortly.  But, for now, I wish you all an interesting, enjoyable and productive gathering that sends you home with fresh ideas and energy, and I have great pleasure in declaring the 11^th Annual Scientific Meeting of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy officially open.  

Thank you.