Have a great day on Sunday Alan!

GEOFFREY QUAIL OAM

Duncan Stalker introduced guest speaker Professor Geoffrey Quail who provided an interesting talk on "Did Disease Determine the Outcome at Gallipoli?". Geoffrey is a Professor at the Department of Surgery, Monash University. He has had a long involvement with the Royal Australian Air Force as Consultant in tropical medicine and medical education. He has read modern history at Oxford University and studied tropical medicine at Liverpool UK. He has recently completed a book to be published later in the year, "Lessons Learned: The Australian Military and Tropical Medicine".

Professor Quail provided data on the Crimean War (1854-1856); the South African (Boer) War (1899-1902), the Great War and the predisposing factors to illness which were controllable and not controllable.

Lessons were not learned from previous campaigns in relation to sanitation and hygiene instruction. Infectious disease would have been much reduced by health planning. Once infectious disease was established it was almost impossible to restore health to the force, most of which was severely debilitated. The weather, difficult terrain, and tenacity of Turkish Army were other factors adversely affecting the Allied campaign. The appointment of a Director of Medical Services (ANZAC) would have reduced confusion, increased efficiency and improved relations with the British Army Command. There is no doubt that a great part of the Army were in no fit state to launch an offensive and if it had not been for infection, the outcome at Gallipoli may have been quite different (CEW Bean).

A full transcript of Professor Quail's speech can be obtained by clicking on this link:

Did Disease Determine the Outcome at Gallipoli?

Both Alice and Eloise recently attended RYLA and provided members with some feedback on their experience. Both girls thanked RCW for providing the opportunity to attend RYLA. Both girls spoke confidently and were very complimentary of the program. Some of their comments were:

Life changing

Motivating

The people were amazing, from the team who ran the program to the people who participated

Gained confidence

Recommend the program for anyone

A little hesitant at first and was pushed by mum for years and it was one of the best things I've done and am glad I went

5 days doesn't change your life - it provides you with the tools to do so

Gained confidence in the workplace

Eloise has since nominated as Secretary of the Rotaract Club of Barwon and has volunteered to offer physiotherapy in the Phillippines.

Grateful for the experience and RCW and mum were thanked for pushing and investing in the next generation.