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ACORN History

In 1977, the Australasian Conference of Operating Room Nurses was held in Canberra where it was decided to form a national group – the Australian Confederation of Operating Room Nurses. Thus, ACORN was born.

 

To celebrate the College's 40th anniversary, ACORN produced a commemorative downloadable publication 

Tall oaks from little acorns grow: Commemorating 40 years  

 

1977 Conference Committee with New Zealand representative, Brenda Miles (seated at left), Chairperson and New South Wales representative, Judith Cornell (seated centre), and Treasurer and Victorian representative, Mary Barry (seated at right).

Ten operating room nurses from five states attended the 1975 meeting.

 

New South Wales:

-

Queensland:

South Australia:

Tasmania:

Victoria:

Judith Cornell

Rita Stahl

Colin Shipton

Lynette Stanley

Ann Swifte

Lyn Root

Marea Fennell

Mary Barry

Sister Mary Felix

Pauline Bennett

1971

A number of operating room nurses from around Australia met in Melbourne at a Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) and Faculty of Anaesthetists seminar, ‘Safety measures in the operating theatre’. Considerable differences in policies, procedures and practices were apparent.

1975

Mary Barry suggested a national operating room nurses conference and ten operating room nurses from around Australia met to discuss the possibility of organising it. A conference coordinating committee was formed, comprising one representative from each state present.

1976

The coordinating committee met again and were joined by representatives from the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. New Zealand was also represented.

1977

The inaugural Australasian Conference of Operating Room Nurses in Canberra was a resounding success. Delegates attended from all over Australia and from New Zealand, United States of America, United Kingdom and Malaysia. A unanimous decision was made to form a national organisation and state representatives formulated a constitution, financial guidelines and organisational format.

1978

The first National Council meeting took place in Adelaide in February. Council meetings were set for every six months and the council term was for three years. The first official journal, ACORN News, was published in February.

1980

The second national conference was held in Adelaide. New guidelines for operating room nursing practice, based on reviews of resolutions taken at the 1977 conference, were made available. This was the origin of the ACORN Standards for Perioperative Nursing in Australia.

1986

ACORN News was amalgamated with The New South Wales journal, Forceps, and the Victorian journal, Snippets, to become a national journal, ACORN Journal, which was published in December.

1996

ACORN became incorporated as a company limited by guarantee by the Australian Securities Commission. The six senior councillors became directors of the company and the president became company secretary as well as a director. The seven junior councillors became representatives of the company.

1998

The national conference in Perth celebrated the 21st birthday of the Australian Confederation of Operating Room Nurses. The theme of this national conference was ‘21 years on – Growth, development and diversity’. Hereafter the national conference would be held every two years with a corresponding term of office for the ACORN council.

2000

ACORN became a college – Australian College of Operating Room Nurses. The president and executive were elected from candidates currently serving on the board, rather than appointed by succession. The president was thus independent, rather than state based, and could give greater attention to national issues.

2016

At the Annual General Meeting, members voted to change the College's name to Australian College of Perioperative Nurses while retaining the acronym ACORN.

ACORN was granted deductible gift recipient status by the the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

2018

The 18th ACORN conference was held concurrently with the 6th conference of the Asian Perioperative Nurses Association (ASIORNA) in Adelaide. The conference welcomed nurses and trade partners from all over Australia, Asia, Europe and the Americas.

2019

In February, development began for an ambitious multi-year project – Roadmap to National Recognition (Roadmap Project). The is scheduled to conslude in November 2021 and aims to deliver national recognition and uptake of Standards for Perioperative Nursing in Australia (the ACORN Standards), create opportunities to develop the next generation of perioperative nursing leaders, and engage and grow the ACORN membership by demonstrating effective national leadership of the perioperative nursing profession.

In September, ACORN held the inaugural Perioperative Leadership Summit, in Canberra. The program focussed on supporting and developing leadership skills and was attended by 100 emerging, aspiring and experienced leaders.

The acronym 'ACORN' was originally chosen to signify the Australasian Conference of Operating Room Nurses. There was forethought that if an organisation were to be formed the name could be changed to the Australian Confederation of Operating Room Nurses without affecting the acronym.

The acronym was, in fact, retained when the confederation became a college in 2000, and when the name was changed to Australian College of Perioperative Nurses in 2016.

ACORN has had two logos. The current logo was designed by Savanah Designs, after extensive consultation with ACORN members, and adopted in 2016. The pink centre of the design symbolises the patient. The colour pink was selected to suggest life and vitality. The colours surrounding the centre represent the perioperative environment. The leaf shapes suggest growth, and reference the acorn of the original ACORN logo. The four leaf shapes around the centre represent perioperative nurses working as a team to keep the patient safe during surgery. The seven outer leaf shapes represent the seven state and territory associations that support perioperative nurses and advocate for the profession and patient safety.

 

The ACORN conference logo was designed by Jeanette Waterhouse (Cuttler) of The Geelong Hospital. Subsequently, this became the logo of the national organisation and a badge of the logo was manufactured and made available to members on payment of their membership fees to their state or territory organisation.

The ACORN leadership structure evolved from a council to an executive committee, committee of management board and governance board, led by chairmen, presidents and board chairs.   

2022–2024 Jessica Pougnault (WA)
2020–2022 Patricia Flood (Vic)
2019–2020 Garry Stratton (Tas)

2018–2019

Rebecca East (Vic)

2016–2018

Sarah Bird (Tas)

2014–2016

Jed Duff (NSW)

2012–2014

Ruth Melville (Qld)

2010–2012

Vicky Warwick (WA)

2008–2010

Cheryl Winter (NT)

2006–2008

Jennifer Rabach (Vic)

2004–2006

Kim Hepper (SA)

2002–2004

James Harrison (Tas)

2000–2002

Phyllis Davis (NSW)

1998–2000

Judith Berry (SA)

1995–1998

Carolyn Webster (WA)

1992–1995

Narelle Hines (NSW)

1989–1992

Pat Eiszele (Tas)

1986–1989

Heather Moon (Qld)

1983–1986

Jacqueline Dalzell (Vic)

1980–1983

Ruth Gericevich (WA)

1977–1980

Jill Hughes Jones (SA)

Inaugural National Council 1977–1980

Jill Hughes-Jones, Chair (SA)

Lynette Stanley, Secretary (SA)

Helen Twelftree,Treasurer (SA)

Margaret Rainbow, Conference convenor (SA)

Elizabeth Warnes, Conference convenor (SA)

Mary Barry (Vic)

Pauline Bennett (Vic)

Wayne Butler (Tas)

Judith Cornell (NSW)

Joan Englert AM (NSW)

Ruth Gericevich (WA)

Judith Meppem PSM (NSW)

Joanne Moulton (Qld)

Nicky Nixon (Vic)

Colin Shipton (Qld)

Anne Swifte (Tas)

Carolyn Webster (WA)

1980–1983 National Council

Ruth Gericevich, Chair (WA)

Joy Kenn, Secretary (WA)

June Raxter, Treasurer and Conference Convenor (WA)

Patricia Adkin (Qld)

Lesley Cooke (NSW

Judith Cornell (NSW)

Jacqui Dalzell (Vic)

Margaret Gall (SA)

Tim Haas (Tas)

Joanne Moulton (Qld)

Nicky Nixon (Vic)

Cheryl Robinson (Tas)

Claire Thorpe (WA)

Helen Twelftree (SA)

1983–1986 National Council

Jacqui Dalzell, Chair (Vic)

Marilyn Cornish, Secretary (Vic)

Marea Fennell, Treasurer (Vic)

Claire Collins, Conference convenor (Vic)

Lesley Cooke (NSW)

Gaylene Cox (Qld)

Pat Eiszele (Tas)

Marg Ewington (Tas)

Lesley Gilbery (SA)

Narelle Hines (NSW)

Joy Kenn (WA)

Heather Moon (Qld)

June Raxter (WA)

Christine Wellum (SA)

1986–1989 National Council

Heather Moon, President (Qld)

Gaylene Cox, Secretary (Qld)

Linley Bates, Treasurer (Qld)

Joanne Odgers, Treasurer (Qld)

Judith Hewitt, Conference Convenor (Qld)

Claire Collins (VIC)

Pat Eisele (Tas)

Margaret Ewington (Tas)

Marea Fennell (Vic)

Leslie Gilbert (SA)

Narelle Hines (NSW)

Vanessa Lambert (WA)

June Raxter (WA)

John Stuart (NSW)

Christine Whellum (SA)

1989–1992 National Council

Pat Eisele, President (Tas)

Helen Taylor, Secretary (Tas)

Nolly Wilcox, Treasurer (Tas)

Christine Reaney, Conference convenor (Tas)

Linley Bates (Qld)

Bernadette Brennan (Vic)

Claire Collins (Vic)

Leslie Gilbert (SA)

Sandy Harrison (NSW)

Judith Hewitt (Qld)

Lesley Pereira (NSW)

June Raxter (WA)

Paul Rowell (WA)

John Stuart (NSW)

Christine Whellum (SA)

1992–1995 National Council

Narelle Hines, President (NSW)

Lynne Tozer, Secretary (NSW)

Ros Berryman, Treasurer (NSW)

Menna Davies, Conference convenor (NSW)

Ros Berryman (NSW)

Sharon Bingham (Tas)

Dianne Binns (Tas)

Bernadette Brennan (Vic)

Dianne Flannigan (Tas)

Judith Hewitt (Qld)

Jill Hilbig (SA)

Debbie Jaeger (NT)

Leonie Lorenz (Vic)

Jan Miller (WA)

Cheryl O’Brien (Qld)

Paul Rowell (WA)

Libby Webb (NT)

Carolyn Webster (WA)

Carmel Rodgers (SA)

1995–1998 National Council

Carolyn Webster, President (WA)

Jan Miller, Secretary (WA)

Minnie Giannagostino, Treasurer (WA)

Paul Rowell, Conference Convenor (WA)

Jacqui Smith, Conference Convenor (WA)

Helen Barallon (Vic)

Judith Berry (SA)

Ros Berryman (NSW)

Dianne Binns (Tas)

Bernadette Brennan (Vic)

Christine Crimmings (NT)

Dianne Flannigan (Tas)

Rae Gyder (Qld)

Leonie Lorenz (Vic)

Jill Hilbig (SA)

Cheryl O’Brien (Qld)

Carmel Rodgers (WA)

Jacqui Smith (WA)

Jacqui Taylor (Qld)

Lynne Tozer (NSW)

Libby Webb (NT)

1998–2000 Board of Directors and Representatives

Judith Berry, President (SA)

Annette Bartlett, Secretary (SA)

Sandy McAdam, Treasurer (SA)

Carmel Rodgers, Conference convenor (SA)

Helen Barallon (Vic)

Judith Berry (SA)

Ros Berryman (NSW)

Christine Crimmings (NT)

Michelle Cullen (Vic)

Phyllis Davis (NSW)

Dianne Flannigan (Tas)

Rosemary Gastin (Blackford) (NT)

Robyn Lawson (WA)

Jacqui Smith (WA)

Narelle Summerfield (Qld)

Pam Taite (Tas)

Jacqui Taylor (Qld)

2000–2002 Board of Directors and Representatives

Phyllis Davis, President (NSW)

Lois Hamlin, Secretary (NSW)

James Harrison, Treasurer (Tas)

Jorge Acevedo–Rodrigues (Vic)

Helen Barallon (Vic)

Judith Berry (SA)

Menna Davies (NSW)

Rosemary Gastin (Blackford) (NT)

Rae Gyder (QLD)

Kim Hepper (SA)

Veronica Hill (WA)

Debbie Jager (NT)

Robyn Lawson (WA)

Marilyn Schroeder (Vic)

Narelle Summerfield (QLD)

Pam Taite (TAS)

2002–2004 Board of Directors and Representatives

James Harrison, President (Tas)

Kim Hepper, Secretary (SA)

Lois Hamlin, Treasurer (NSW)

Dianne Binns (Tas)

Rosemary Blackford (NT)

Stephen Born (Qld)

Judith Bridges (Vic)

Lyell Brougham (SA)

Bronwyn Grant (WA)

Rae Guyder (Qld)

Sharon Harding (NT)

Kim Hepper (SA),

Heather Hawkins (Tas)

Veronica Hill (WA)

Debbie Lattimore (NT)

Robyn Lawson (WA)

Marilyn Schroeder (Vic)

Jane Waldron (NSW)

2004–2006 Board of Directors and Representatives

Kim Hepper, President (SA)

Stephen Born, Treasurer (Qld)

Robyn Lawson, Treasurer (WA)

Jane Waldron, Secretary (NSW)

Sarah Bird (Tas)

Stephen Born (Qld)

Judith Bridges (Vic)

Lyell Brougham (SA)

Sharon Harding (NT)

Heather Hawkins (Tas)

Kim Hepper (SA)

Veronica Hill (WA)

Lynette Hill (Qld)

Robyn Lawson (WA)

Jennifer Rabach (Vic)

Sally Sutherland-Fraser (NSW)

Melissa Viney (SA)

Cheryl Winter (NT). 

2006–2008 Board of Directors and Representatives

Jennifer Rabach, President (Vic)

Cheryl Winter, Secretary then President

Lynette Hill, Secretary (Qld)

Robyn Lawson, Treasurer (WA)

Jenny Cubitt (NSW)

Jenny Garden (Tas)

Ailsa Gillett (Qld)

Veronica Hill (WA)

Beth Hopper (SA)

Robyn Lawson (WA)

Tamara Logan (NT)

Nanette Lundie (Vic)

Ross Mace (Tas)

Pat Nicholson (Vic)

Fran O’Brien (NSW)

Melissa Viney (SA)

Vicky Warwick (Jackson) (WA)

Libby Webb (NT)

2008–2010 Board of Directors and Representatives

Cheryl Winter, President (NT)

Fran O’Brien, Secretary (NSW)

Ailsa Gillett, Treasurer (Qld)

Avril Brown (Tas)

Paul Byrne (WA)

Jenny Garden (Tas)

Angela Hand (Vic)

Beth Hooper (SA)

Renae Jacob (NT)

Tracy Kerle (NSW)

Tamara Logan (NT)

Rob McCann (SA)

Ruth Melville (Qld)

Patricia Nicholson (Vic)

Vicky Warwick (Jackson) (WA)

Libby Webb (NT)

2010–2012 Board of Directors and Representatives

Vicky Warwick, President

Tracy Kerle, Secretary (NSW)

Rob McCann, Treasurer (SA)

Lyell Brougham (SA)

Avril Brown (Tas)

Jed Duff (NSW)

Cathy Ebel (SA)

Rosemary Gastin (Blackford) (NT)

Angela Hand (VIC)

Sharon Harding (NT)

Joy Jensen (Qld)

Geraldine Keogh (WA)

Rob McCann (SA)

Ruth Melville (Qld)

Kerrie Rodgers (NSW)

Cath Scott (WA)

Elissa Shaw (Tas)

Carollyn Williams (Vic)

2012–2014 Board of Directors and Representatives

Ruth Melville, President (Qld)

Carollyn Williams, Secretary (Vic)

Joy Jensen, Treasurer (Qld)

Sarah Bird (Tas)

Lyell Brougham (SA)

Jed Duff (NSW)

Sharon Harding (NT)

Cathy Hashemi (SA)

Allanah Hazelgrove (NSW)

Joy Jensen (Qld)

Geraldine Keogh (WA)

Karen Madden (Tas)

Leanne Mastin (Vic)

Pauline Moore (Vic)

Wendy Rogers (NT)

Cath Scott (WA)

Elissa Shaw (Tas)

Zaneta Smith (WA)

Catherine Steele (Qld)

2014–2016 Board of Directors and Representatives

Jed Duff, President (NSW)

Allanah Hazelgrove, Secretary (NSW)

Joy Jensen, Treasurer (Qld)

Sarah Bird (Tas)

Caroline Dufton (WA)

Rebecca East (Vic)

Rachel Foster (Tas)

Cathie Hashemi (SA)

Karen Hay (NSW)

Diana Hutt (SA)

Grace Loh (WA)

Pauline Moore (Vic)

Michelle Reardon (Qld)

Wendy Rogers (NT)

Zaneta Smith (WA)

Catherine Steele (Qld)

Lesley Stewart (NT)

Jim Sze Hang (Tas)

2016–2018 Board of Directors

Sarah Bird, President (Tas)

Rebecca East (Vic)

Rachel Foster (Tas)

Karen Hay (NSW)

Diana Hutt (SA)

Grace Loh (WA)

Tracey Nicholls (Member Director)

Michelle Reardon (Qld)

Lesley Stewart (NT)

2018–2020 Board of Directors

Rebecca East, President 2018-2019 (Vic)

Garry Stratton, President 2019-2020 (Tas)

Trent Batchelor (SA)

Sophie Ehrlich (NT)

Patricia Flood (Vic)

Paula Foran (Member Director)

Karen Hay (NSW)

Grace Loh (WA)

Donna Stevens (Qld)

2020–2022 Board of Directors

Patricia Flood, President/Board Chair (Vic)

Elyse Coffey (Vic)

Sophie Ehrlich (NT)

Karen Hay (NSW)

Jessica Pougnault (WA)

Donna Stevens (Qld)

Garry Stratton (Tas)

Sharon Mewett (SA)

2022–2024 Board of Directors

Jessica Pougnault, Board Chair (WA)

Tarryn Armour (Vic)

Alison Schofield (NSW)

Justine Cartwright (Qld)

Kylie Stopp (SA)

Caroline Louise Johnson (Tas)

Veronica Hill (WA)

Sophie Ehrllich (NT)

George Eskander (Independent Director)

Liza Nadolski (Independent Director)

ACORN News

1979–1981 

Judith Meppem

 

1982–1984 

Judith Cornell

 

1985–1986 

 

Forceps Snippets ACORN News

1987 

John Stuart

ACORN Journal

1988–1990 

John Stuart

 

1991–1992

Narelle Hines

 

1992–1996 

Lynne Redknap

 

1997–2003 

Pauline Walker

 

2003–2005 

Rebecca Fox

 

2005–2007 

Lois Hamlin

 

2007 

Marilyn Richardson-Tench

 

2008–2012 

Pauline Walker

 

2013 

Mary Polzella

 

2014–2016 

Sarah Bird

Journal of Perioperative Nursing in Australia

2017 

Nicholas Ralph

Journal of Perioperative Nursing

2017–2018 

Nicholas Ralph

 

2018–2019

Patricia Flood

  2019–  Jed Duff

Dr Sonya Osborne (2012–2018)

Dr Cath Murphy (2018-2022)

Michelle Hibberson (2022-current)