The latest news announcements from the Geoffrey Kaye Museum…
Holiday Hours
Please note that the museum will be closed from 24 December and reopening on Monday 5 January.
Contact us to arrange your visit in the new year:
Email: museum@anzca.edu.au
Phone: 03 8517 5309
Dr Chris Cokis’ unique Presidential portrait
Dr Chris Cokis had a unique vision for his Presidential Portrait, which he describes in the summary below. His portrait was taken in 2025 after a couple of false starts due to the weather. It was unveiled in July 2025 and is now hanging in Ulimaroa.
My term as President was marked by a return to normal activities after the COVID-19 restrictions. We could travel again, get together and run an in-person College Annual Scientific Meeting again.
During my initial chats with the Museum Curator, Veronica Dominiak, about my future portrait, I spontaneously made a remark that I could have my portrait taken with an iPhone. Veronica instantly picked up on this comment and thought it could be a good avenue to showcase my informal attitude through modern and now common form of photography. Mobile photography can now be considered as an artform with various mobile photography awards. We explored this route however it didn’t prove viable, so we instead decided to exhibit my relaxed approach through the location of my portrait.
My portrait was taken by Jarrad Seng, a well-known Western Australian photographer, who understood my deliberate choice of a casual setting by the beachside.
Presidential portrait of Dr Chris Cokis by Jarrad Seng
With both of us based in Perth we patiently waited for an appropriate day for that warm evening sunlight to come through – so typical of Western Australian sunsets.
I hope the portrait captures the informal and approachable attitude I tried to bring to my role and I thank the ANZCA fellowship for allowing me the great honour of being their President.
Jarrad Seng took multiple photographs of Dr Chris Cokis during the photoshoot. This one didn’t make it to the final cut but is another favourite. Taken by a First Aid sign, the portrait balances formality with humour.
Dr Vanessa Beavis, FANZCA, shares her thoughts with us about her portrait.
Dr Vanessa Beavis, FANZCA, shares her thoughts with us about her portrait. The portrait was taken in 2023 and was revealed and hung in Ulimaroa, ANZCA at the end of 2024.
Alternatively known as the ‘COVID President’ or our ‘War time President’, my two years as President, were dominated by sitting at my desk behind a computer screen.
The table where I am sitting represents all those hours spent at the desk. The N95 mask to one side, is a constant reminder of the ubiquitous relentless presence of COVID.
Dr Vanessa Beavis, Presidential portrait
I chose to wear the President’s gown (in contrast to the presidents for the last decade) because, although I did not often have much opportunity to wear it on the usual formal occasions, the office of President and all the attendant responsibility I felt was best portrayed by wearing the gown and the President’s medal. Adorning my pounamu alongside the presidential medal represents the New Zealand (NZ)/Aotearoa part of ANZCA.
The actual photography session was a great occasion in its own right. The portrait photographs were taken by Amber Hunt and Arnaud Stephenson – Ash photography. They are my husband’s son and daughter in law. To have close family members share the Presidency in this way just added to the magic. As Brian Stephenson – my husband pointed out, the organ room of Glyndebourne where the photographs were taken was a fitting setting for a liver transplant anaesthetist.
2024 Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine History and Heritage Research Grant – accepting applications!
Do you have an idea for an anaesthesia or pain medicine history research project?
The Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine History and Heritage Research Grant is an initiative of the Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History at the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.
This annual grant program provides up to $A5000 for research and interpretation of the history of anaesthesia, pain, and perioperative medicine.
Applications are now open and close 27 September 2024. The museum curator, Veronica Dominiak (museum@anzca.edu.au) is on hand to advise anyone interested in applying.
For more information including guidelines and application form please visit the ANZCA website: