Robin William Smallwood completed medicine at the University of Melbourne in 1958 and decided on anaesthesia as a career, attaining his FFARACS in 1964. Smallwood was Dean of the Faculty of Anaesthetists at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons from 1986 - 1987. Smallwood died 6 October 1987 after a brief illness and was awarded the Orton Medal posthumously. The Orton Medal is the highest single achievement the College can bestow. Anaesthesia had its origins in October 1846 in America, by May 1847 news of ether anaesthesia had reached Australian shores and by June 1847 Australian medical practitioners had begun experimenting with and demonstrating ether anaesthesia. Anaesthesia was not really recognised as a distinct branch of medicine in Australia until the first Diploma of Anaesthesia course began in Sydney in 1944. The specialty grew quickly and by 1952 the Faculty of Anaesthesia at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons had been established. Within 40 years the Faculty had grown to such an extent it became a College in its own right and continues to offer training and professional support to anaesthetists.Printed certificate from the Faculty of Anaesthetists of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) awarded to Robin William Smallwood as a Fellowship. Printed in black ink at the top of the certificate is the RACS coat of arms. The certificate is dated 25 Feburary 1965 and has been signed by President of the College, Member Executive Committee, Dean of the Faculty and the Secretary.smallwood, robin william, orton, robert, faculty of anaesthetists, royal australasian college of surgeons, ffaracs, racs, fanzca

This was gifted to Robin William Smallwood on his retirement. Smallwood graduated from medicine in the mid-1950s and decided to make a career in anaesthetics, was granted Fellowship in 1965, became a member of the Board of the Faculty in 1976 and became Dean in 1986-1987. It has been made by Arnold & Sons of London who were medical instrument manufacturers and became Mayer & Meltzer.Silver tube in two pieces, which form an innner and outer tube. The inner tube is curved with a flat plate at the top and two squared hooks (handles) coming off the plate. The outer tube has been spliced, creating two separate curved sides with an oval, bowl-like plate at the end, with an oval shaped holed punched through either side. Attached to the square hook of the inner tube is a green cotton ribbon.Stamped into the bowl shaped plate: ARNOLD & SONS / SILVERsmallwood, robin, •faculty dean, faculty of anaesthetists, royal australasian college of surgeons, ffaracs, racs, fanzca

The Robert Orton Medal is awarded at the discretion of the Council of the College (formerly the Board of the Faculty), the sole criterion being distinguished service to anaesthesia. The award was established by the Faculty of Anaesthetists, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, in 1967. Robin William Smallwood was Dean of the Faculty of Anaesthetists at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons from 1986 - 1987. Smallwood died 6 October 1987 after a brief illness. Smallwood completed medicine at the University of Melbourne in 1958 and decided on anaesthesia as a career, attaining his FFARACS in 1964. The Orton Medal was awarded posthumously.Die cast medal mounted in a hard blue velour base, with a wooden gold frame. The medal is placed inside the base, with a red velvet ribbon coming out from underneath, used for removing the medal. Underneath the medal is a two cent coin, stuck to the base. Where the medal rests is covered in red velvet as well.Moulded in relief around perimeter of medal: THE ROBERT ORTON AWARD R.A.C.S. •Handwritten in black ink on reverse: THE ROBERT ORTON MEDAL OF THE FACULTY / OF ANAESTHETISTS, ROYAL AUSTRALASIAN COLLEGE / OF SURGEONS, PRESENTED POSTHUMOUSLY TO / ROBIN WILLIAM SMALLWOOD AT THE R.A.C.S. / G.S.M. MAY 7 1989 •Stamped in black ink on reverse: PORT MELBOURNE PRINTS & FRAMING / 276 BAY ST., PORT MELBOURNE 3207 / TELEPHONE No 646 4000 •Etched around the rim of the medal: ROBIN WILLIAM SMALLWOOD OCTOBER 1987orton, robert, smallwood, robin, distinguished services, faculty of anaesthetists, faculty board

Robin William Smallwood was Dean of the Faculty of Anaesthetists at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons from 1986 - 1987. Smallwood died 6 October 1987 after a brief illness. Smallwood completed medicine at the University of Melbourne in 1958 and decided on anaesthesia as a career, attaining his FFARACS in 1964. The Orton Medal was awarded posthumously.Gold coloured oval shaped medal with the Faculty of Anaesthetists coat of arms on the obverse in relief. The owner's name has been engraved into the reverse. There is a thick, ribbed, navy blue ribbon connected to the medal by a circular ring at the top. The medal and ribbon are encased in a black velvet box with white satin lining on the inside of the lid and a red velvet cushion resting in the base.Engraved on reverse of medal: R.W. SMALLWOOD / 1986 - 1987medal, medallion, dean, anaesthetist, anaesthesia, anaesthetic history, royal australasian college of surgeons