call for Abstracts 

Papers should be relevant to the Conference theme, ‘Basic to Complex, Complexity to Complication’. The contribution of presenters is critical to the success of the Conference, and we greatly value your participation. Abstracts may be submitted for either oral or poster presentation.

ELIGIBILITY

Traditionally, WA Papers Day has been open only to Fellows within their first two years post-Fellowship, SET Trainees, SIMGs, junior doctors, interns, service registrars, medical officers and medical students. However, as part of the combined WA Papers Day & Free Papers Session at the South West Conference 2026, abstract submissions are this year invited from all Fellows, as well as SET Trainees, SIMGs, junior doctors, interns, service registrars, medical officers and medical students across all nine RACS specialties.

AWARDS

Please note that while all Fellows are encouraged to submit abstracts, eligibility for the Gordon Baron-Hay Award remains unchanged. In accordance with the Award guidelines, the Gordon Baron-Hay Medal may only be awarded to WA-based Fellows within their first two years post-Fellowship, SET Trainees, SIMGs, junior doctors, interns, service registrars, medical officers and medical students.

To recognise the broader participation this year, an additional award may also be presented for Best Oral Presentation.

Please note that only oral presentations are included in the WA Papers Day program and are eligible for consideration for the Gordon Baron-Hay Award. There will be a separate award presented for Best Poster Presentation.

Guidelines for Abstracts

  • The abstracts must not exceed 250 words.
  • All abstracts must be typed, single spaced, with a clear typeface.
  • Title should be in capitals and underlined and placed at the top of the abstract.
  • Author’s name should be in capitals, with the name of the presenter indicated by an asterisk (*).
  • Degrees and positions in departments should not be included, but the origin of the work should be stated.
  • The abstract must be clear and brief. 
  • Statements should, in general, be impersonal and the first person “I” and “We” avoided.
  • The abstracts will be presented at the meeting as a PowerPoint presentation. Presentation should be a maximum of 5 minutes with 3 minutes for questions.
The abstract should be organised as follows:

  • Purpose of study. Why was the study performed?
  • A brief statement of methods. How was the study done?
  • A summary of the results adequate to support conclusions. What did you find?
  • Conclusions.

Please note that paper or email copies will not be accepted, nor will abstracts be submitted by Conference Organisers on behalf of authors. Please submit your abstract in text format. The closing date for all abstract submission considerations is 11:00 PM AWST Friday, 18 September 2026.

Authors of research papers who wish to have their abstracts considered must submit their abstract electronically before the closing date 11:00 PM AWST Friday, 18 September 2026. Abstracts submitted after the closing date will not be considered.

Oral and Poster presenters must register and present their Abstract in person.

Important Dates:

18 September 2026 | Abstract Submissions Closed                                                                                                    2 October 2026 | Notification of acceptance                                                                                                                  30 October 2026 | Submission of PowerPoint presentation

Submit your abstracts by clicking on this link

CONTACT US

For queries, please contact:

RACS WA Office
P: +61 8 6389 8600                                                               E: college.wa@surgeons.org

ABN 29 004 167 766