1. General Interest
Volume 12 No 2 I March 2016 59
This year in Inside News, we will be
showcasing recently donated material
that adds to the story of radiology and
radiation oncology and the people who
gave the specialties personality.
A recently acquired collection of
manuscripts, papers, note books,
newspaper clippings, biological
samples, bag tags and correspondence
belonging to Prof HR Withers was
kindly donated by the MD Anderson
Cancer Centre in Houston, Texas. This
remarkable collection re-creates his life,
providing insight into who he was, his
character, his thought processes, his
private and professional life, not
to mention worldwide achievements
and accolades.
Prof Withers was an Australian
born radiobiologist whose research
revolutionised the way cancer is treated.
He was recognised and presented
with many awards for his discoveries
including: the Kettering Prize of General
Motors Cancer Research Foundation
(1998), RANZCR Gold Medal (1998),
Order of Australia (1999), The Enrico
Fermi Award (1997) and many more.
Diving into just one of the boxes within
the collection, it is overflowing with
praise flooding in from around the
world—peers, friends, followers
and family.
Two items in particular stand out, one
is an official press release from The
White House, another because of the
quality of paper and the correspondents
themselves—Nicole Kidman and Tom
Cruise—which as a standalone piece
showcases a synergy between modern
medical scientific research and
pop culture.
What is the connection between
medical science and A-list celebrities?
How do they know each other, and to
what degree? Where did they meet?
What was their relationship like? Does
radiobiology have celebrity status? Or
was it simply a case of two Australian
expats finding common ground? Maybe
tomorrow’s box will unravel the mystery.
From the Trainor/Owen Collection
What’s in the Box?
With a collection of material an archivist
can make the past come to life.
White House Press ReleaseThe Kidman/Cruise letter
Professor HR Withers
Interested in
learning more?
Want to learn more about the HR
Withers collection or other collections
including MD Owen, PD Cashman,
HR Sear, WR Bennett and RK Scott?
Why not make an appointment to
visit the Trainor/Owen Collection—a
unique archive, museum and library,
recording the history of radiology
and radiation oncology. Contact the
College Archivist on the details below.
Did you ever want
to be an archivist?
Solving mysteries, piecing together
a story from a variety of sources?
Well here is your chance!
We are always looking for volunteers
to help with the collection. Please
contact Eva Stokes-Blake, Archivist,
Project Manager at the College
on +61 2 9268 9725 Monday –
Wednesday, or email Eva Stokes-
Blake archives@ranzcr.edu.au