Who Are We?
Updated 19/11/2010
A brief history of the HGV
Over the years there have been several incarnations of a Victorian Histology Discussion Group. The current Histology Group of Victoria Inc. evolved from a committee formed by a group of like-minded senior histology scientists representing major public hospitals and private pathology providers in the state of Victoria. Their intent was to create a Histology discussion group that catered to the needs of all people with an interest in Histology. This was not to be limited to medical scientists, and had the primary goal of provision of education to local Victorian members. On August 6th 1997, the HGV officially became an incorporated association.
The inaugural AGM of HGV Incorporated was on March 19th 1998. The elected committee was; President: Tristan Roberts Vice President: Sue Sturrock Treasurer: John Mills Secretary: Alan Sutton Committee: Clare Christian Irene Giouzeppos Piero Nelva Mike Rentsch Clyde Riley Ruth Wilkinson Jane Witte
Whilst not being recognised in the AGM minutes as having an elected position, Judy Brincat was an incumbent member of the committee prior to the AGM and was subsequently mentioned in the minutes following the AGM, and is thus recognised as being part of the inaugural committee. Judy Brincat remains on the committee to this day.
The HGV has run several one-day seminars, the most recent in 1998, 2002, 2007 and 2010, a joint meeting with HGSA at Coonawarra in 2003 and 2007 and in 2005 hosted the 2nd National Histology Conference in Melbourne which broke all records with a peak attendance of 327. The HGV is proud to remain a non-profit organization whilst maintaining free membership. Our membership base has grown from just over 300 in 1998 to 560 present day.
In 2006 we registered our own Association rules, changed our web address to www.hgv.org.au and formally began regular communications with the other state histology groups to grow Histology education at a National level.
Where are we now?
The HGV mission statement encapsulates our goal of “providing a dynamic continuing education program in which all persons with an interest in Histology and Histotechnology are freely invited to participate”. Whilst we cater specifically for Victorians, we have a membership in all states and territories and several overseas.
Our membership is in excess of 560. To further these aims we publish a bi-monthly newsletter - “Paraffinalia”. The
newsletter includes notification of scientific meetings, conference registrations, reports from previous scientific meetings, journal reviews, advertising, and other general histology news. In 2010 the committee decided to offer electronic receipt of the newsletter, which to date has been taken up by over 20% of the membership. The committee has also set up an online database of antibodies to assist laboratories in sourcing information on those unusual antibodies that are requested by Pathologists. We hope in the future that more of the institutions around initially Victoria, will support this venture.
What’s happening in 2011?
This year marks a landmark in HGV History. Judy Brincat has been on the HGV committee for 15 years. She was elected to the committee in 1996 before the HGV was incorporated. Of those 15 years she has spent time as President for 8 years and as Treasurer for 3 years. This is an outstanding effort. The HGV would not have grown without the tireless work that Judy has given to further education in the field of Histology.
Congratulations and thank-you.
