Page 6 - FSANZ Autumn 21 Volume 95 Amended

FSANZ move hailed across the Tasman
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Simon McDowell John Peek
Members in New Zealand have warmly welcomed the name change to the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand.
FSANZ Board representative, Simon McDowell, from Fertility Associates in Wellington, said: “I will admit it has been a satisfying exercise for myself personally to see FSA become FSANZ.
“To be fair, it was a rather painless process, and I thank Luk Rombauts, Kim O’Dea and the FSANZ Board for making it happen despite our inability to meet in person.
“I believe the name change reflects not only the multidisciplinary nature of our Society, but also that it is an international organisation. I look forward to the first FSANZ conference later this year.”
John Peek has been an active member of our Society since its inception and he was honoured with Life Membership in 2018. A former Chair of RTAC, he was Scientific Director of New Zealand’s first IVF program and is now based at Fertility Associates Auckland.
“All those working in assisted reproductive technology in New Zealand welcome the name change to FSANZ,” John said.
“New Zealand doctors, nurses, embryologists and counsellors have looked to the Fertility Society of Australia since its inception, and voluntarily opted into RTAC accreditation in 1990.
“The annual FSA scientific meeting and the FNA, SIRT and ANZICA meetings are our major source of fertility education and support. New Zealanders have also continued to be FSA Board members and office holders.
Joi Ellis
“So it is great to be recognised through the name change. It will also help us with government relations and regulations as we will no longer have to explain why we follow Aussie rules and guidelines. Clearly, they are now our rules and guidelines too.”
Joi Ellis is a founding member and former Chair of the Australian and New Zealand Infertility Counsellors Association (ANZICA) and she was honoured with Life Membership of the FSA in 2016.
Joi, who was influential in establishing the first infertility consumer group in New Zealand in 1981, served as the counselling representative on the FSA Board from 2000 to 2004 and with RTAC from 2001 to 2009.
“We recognised the importance of forming a close educational and peer supportive relationship in the pioneering days of assisted reproduction services,” she said.
“Consequently, when the counsellors formalised their professional organisation they named it ANZICA to reflect both countries and the international link. Now that ANZICA is a sub- group of the Society, I am delighted that its name includes New Zealand to reflect the true nature of its membership.
“New Zealanders have always supported and promoted the work of the Society. They have contributed many voluntary hours for its common benefit.
“Everyone, including patients here in New Zealand will be very pleased that our country is publicly acknowledged in the Society’s name. Sharing a constitution, finding ethical agreements, collaborating in research, education and, importantly, caring for one another have been the activities of members on both sides of the Tasman. So, it is a very positive move to make this name change.”