Historical information

This medal was awarded to Dr George Rothwell Adam, who was a lecturer in Obstetrics at the University of Melbourne from 1899 to 1913. As part of receiving this award, Adam delivered a Listerian Oration entitled ' The influence Listerism exercises on obstetrics' at a meeting of the South Australian Branch of the British Medical Association on May 25, 1922.

"This Oration and Medal was established by the South Australian Branch of the British Medical Association in 1914. The first Oration was delivered on Thursday, June 25th of that year. On that day, the new premises of the Branch was opened. Subsequently, this annual Oration became recognized as the most important scientific event in the calendar of branch Scientific Meetings. In 1948 it was delivered by one of South Australia’s famous sons, Sir Hugh Cairns. There has been no Lister Oration since 1979. The obverse of the Lister Medal shows a portrait of Lord Lister 1827-1912, and on the reverse is inscribed ‘British Medical Association, South Australian Branch, Lister Oration’. Wood Jones’ Lister Oration 1926 ‘Before a large attendance of members of the South Australian branch of the British Medical Association at Lister Hall, Hindmarsh Square [Adelaide] on Thursday evening [May 27thl Professor F. Wood-Jones, F.R.S. of the Adelaide University, was heard with close attention during his lecture on “Disease and Individuality ’ ’. ’" from Frederic Wood Jones - his academic medals and those they honoured by B. E. Christophers, Aust. N.Z. J. Surg. (1995) 65, 122-134

Physical description

Bronze coloured metal medallion with presentation box. Front of medal carries a bust image of Joseph Lister, and is inscribed "LISTER 1827-/1912". Back of medal carries an image of some foliage, topped by a shield motif. The shield carries a wreath and the text "LISTER/ORATION". Back of medal also carries the text "BRITISH/MEDICAL/ASSOCIATION/SOUTH/AUSTRALIAN/BRANCH". Edge of medal is engraved with the text "G. ROTHWELL ADAM 1922". Presentation box is covered in brown leather, with gold tooling on the lid. Inside of lid covered with cream satin, and base covered with green velvet. Small length of cream ribbon sits in case under medal allowing it to be easily lifted from the depression it sits in. Text printed inside lid reads, "BY APPOINTMENT/SPINK & SON LTD./17 & 18 PICCADILLY, W."

Inscriptions & markings

"G.ROTHWELL ADAM 1922"