Following a strong response to nominations, voting is now open for the 2026 RACS Council elections. Twelve Fellows are standing for Fellowship-elected Councillor positions, with additional elections being held for specialty-elected Councillor positions in Cardiothoracic Surgery and General Surgery.
Now is your opportunity to help shape the future direction of your College as we step into our second century.
Council brings together representatives from RACS’ nine specialties and two countries. Councillors contribute to the College’s strategic direction, help set priorities and bring Fellowship perspectives to Council.
Council also serves as a trusted voice to government on workforce challenges and other issues shaping healthcare policy, advocating on behalf of surgeons and the patients they serve.
By voting, you help ensure the Council reflects the full breadth of the Fellowship, across geography, specialties, and career stages. A strong voter turnout helps build a leadership team that understands and advocates for your needs, whether you’re a Trainee, Younger Fellow or retiring soon, a rural surgeon or urban-based, or part of a specialty or interest group.
You should have received all the information you need to vote via an email from BigPulse. If you haven’t received it or you have a question, please contact us.
About the candidates
Fellowship elected Councillor
All Fellows are eligible to vote in this category. There are six vacancies and you must vote for exactly six candidates in order for your ballot to submit successfully. The candidates are listed alphabetically by last name:
| Name | Region | Specialty | Notes |
| David Brown | QLD | Urology | |
| Paul Bumbak | WA | Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery | |
| Bridget Clancy | VIC | Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery | |
| Ailene Fitzgerald | ACT | General Surgery | Standing for re-election |
| Mitchell Hansen | NSW | Neurosurgery | |
| David King | SA | Vascular Surgery | Standing for re-election |
| Robert Love | WA | Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery | |
| Teariki Maoate | AoNZ | Paediatric Surgery | |
| Craig McBride | QLD | Paediatric Surgery | |
| Prem Rashid | NSW | Urology | |
| Richard Wong She | AoNZ | Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery | Standing for re-election |
| Ming Yew | WA | General Surgery | Currently co-opted to Council |
Specialty elected Councillor ‐ Cardiothoracic Surgery
Cardiothoracic Fellows are encouraged to vote for this position. There is one vacancy. You must vote for exactly one candidate in order for your ballot to submit successfully.
The candidates are listed alphabetically by last name:
| Name | Region | Notes |
| Andrew Cochrane | VIC | Standing for re-election |
| Allen James | NSW |
Specialty elected Councillor ‐ General Surgery
General Surgery Fellows are encouraged to vote for this position. There is one vacancy. You must vote for exactly one candidate in order for your ballot to submit successfully.
The candidates are listed alphabetically by last name:
| Name | Region | Notes |
| Gregory Keogh | NSW | Standing for re-election |
| Akhtar Sayed-Hassen | VIC |
