SECTON VIII INDUCTION CEREMONY AND DINNER
PARMNELIA HILTON HOTEL, PERTH, WA
9 May 2025
Registrar Graeme Ting opened the evening’s formalities by welcoming Fellows and guests and delivering the Registrar’s report. A ceremonial changeover of Presidents was conducted with outgoing President Tom Tseng handing over the chain of office to incoming President Ian Myers OAM. Ian spoke of Tom’s outstanding service to Section VIII during his two year term as President. Ian then addressed the new Fellows on the meaning and honour of ICD Fellowship. ICD Global President Dr Ian Doyle sent a welcome address to the new Fellows.
Section VIII Fellow Jacinta Vu was the guest speaker for the evening. Jacinta is the Australian of the Year - WA 2025 Local Hero. She spoke about the journey of “Healing Smiles” an organisation that provides dental care to women escaping domestic violence. The program provides trauma informed care which recognises the importance of good dental health in restoring dignity, self-esteem and confidence as victims rebuild their lives. Fittingly, a number of Healing Smiles dental volunteers were inducted on the night. Another highlight of the evening was the induction of four new Fellows from the South Pacific (pictured below). Dr Leroy Tatui is the first Fellow from Niue ever inducted into the International College of Dentists. The Hon Saia Piukala was inducted as an Honorary Fellow. He is a Member of Parliament and Minister of Health in Tonga. Since February 2024, he has held the position of WHO Regional Director (WPRO). Saia is the first South Pacific leader to hold this prestigious, high level position within WHO. |
Registrar Graeme Ting; Back row (L-R): Dr Leroy Tatui (Niue), Dr Osea Gavidi (Fiji)
As always, the evening allowed Fellows and their guests time for collegiality which is a highlight of any ICD function. It was wonderful to see a contingent of guests who accompanied the new South Pacific Fellows to the dinner.
SECTION VIII INDUCTION CEREMONY AND LUNCHEON
TE PAE CONVENTION CENTRE, CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND
23 AUGUST 2024
Back Row: Graeme Ting (ICD Regent for NZ), Section VIII President Tom Tseng, Kirianu Nio (Cook Islands), Darryl Merceica (NSW), Andrew Cautley (NZ), Geoffrey Hunt (NZ), Haizal Hussaini (NZ), George Lazaridis (VIC), Melissa Warren (NSW), Ricky Kumar (VIC), Christopher Warren (NSW), David Crum (NZ).
Middle Row: Rouel Vergara (NSW), Steve Manning (NZ), Susan Cole (NZ), Hanlie Engelbrecht (VIC), Laura Ichim (NZ), Fleur Woolford (NZ), International President Argirios Pissiotis.
Front Row: Nelson Tanghwa (Vanuatu), Jenny Tangis (Vanuatu), Section VIII Registrar Petrina Bowden (QLD), Deborah Sykes (VIC), Reena Ohm (QLD), Angus Campbell (NZ), Anthony Pistolese (NSW), Anna Dawson (NZ), Leanne Teoh (VIC), Joshua Green (NSW).
On Friday 23 August 2024, as part of the NZDA Conference, Section VIII of the International College of Dentists (ICD) was delighted to hold an induction ceremony and luncheon at Te Pae Convention Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand. The ceremony saw a record number of 24 inductees attend a New Zealand induction ceremony, with a total of 85 guests. Twelve of the inductees had travelled from various parts of Australia and it was very significant that three inductees: Dr. Jenny Tangis and Dr. Nelson Tanghwa from Vanuatu, and Dr Kirianu Nio from the Cook Islands, had travelled to Christchurch as inaugural inductees to the ICD from their respective countries.
Registrar, Dr Petrina Bowden, opened the formalities with an acknowledgement of country and led the proceedings. Section VIII President, Dr Tom Tseng, warmly welcomed Fellows and guests and introduced and welcomed ICD International President Dr Argiros Pissiotis, who had travelled to Christchurch from Greece to attend the Section VIII induction ceremony and dinner.
Dr Pissiotis highlighted the importance and value of ICD Fellowship, acknowledged the calibre of the new Fellows being inducted into Section VIII and warmly welcomed the new Fellows to the College. Dr Pissiotis showed great pleasure as he greeted and presented each new Fellow with their ICD lapel pin as symbol of their ICD Fellowship.
A particular highlight of the ceremony was the presence of traditional drummers from the Cook Islands acknowledging the induction of the first new Fellows from the Cook Islands (Dr. Kirianu Nio) and from Vanuatu (Dr Nelson Tanghwa and Dr Jenny Tangis) to ever be inducted into the International College of Dentists. The drummers added special “island flair” to the ceremony, accentuating the new Fellows from Vanuatu and the Cook Islands as they crossed the stage to accept their Fellowship certificates. The drummers also added spontaneous humorous interludes at other points in the ceremony. This was musically and spiritually uplifting and confirmed that Section VIII is special in its representation of Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific on the world ICD stage.
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Section VIII President Tseng closed the induction ceremony. Guests went on to have a very enjoyable luncheon celebrating the new Fellows and renewing old friendships.
2024 YOUNG DENTISTS VOLUNTEER GRANTS AWARDED
The value of the grant is up to $3,500 AUD to cover airfares, accommodation and other expenses directly related to participating in a volunteer experience as approved by the ICD Board. The volunteer experience is arranged with leaders of projects supported by Section VIII.
The Section VIII Board is proud to announce that three ICD Young Dentists Volunteer grants have been awarded in 2024. Dr Amy Zhang of NSW will participate in the Solomon Islands Rural Outreach Program. Dr Tiffany Hung of NZ will participate in Project Yeti in Nepal. Dr Charlotte Kenny of NSW will participate in the Timor-Leste Dental Program. Congratulations to these deserving dentists.
Dr Amy Zhang, NSW
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Dr Tiffany Hung, NZ
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Dr Charlotte Kenny, NSW
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Honoring the World’s Leading Dentists since 1920
The International College of Dentists is a leading honorary dental organisation dedicated to the recognition of outstanding professional achievement and meritorious service and the continued progress of dentistry for the benefit of all humankind. All members of the College regardless of their native language or country of residence, adhere to one universal motto, Recognizing Service and the Opportunity to Serve.
Conceived in 1920, the College currently has over 12,000 members in 122 countries who have been awarded the prestigious title of Fellow in the ICD. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only. A nominated dentist must pass a rigorous, peer review process leading to the recognition of the individual’s “outstanding professional achievement, meritorious service and dedication to the continued progress of dentistry for the benefit of humankind.”
All Fellows are encouraged to nominate dentists who are deserving of the recognition of ICD Fellowship. Nomination forms can be downloaded from this website. Enquires: [email protected].
Board of Regents 2025-2027, Section VIII (as of May 2025)
Section VIII Membership (as of May 2025)
Section of ICD (Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific) currently has 786 members comprised of:
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Local Committees, Section VIII (as of May 2025)
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Masters are Fellows in good standing who at the time of their nomination have rendered extraordinarily conspicuous and outstanding service to the College. The awarding of the status of Master is considered a rare distinction. The numbers admitted to this status are such as not to lessen the honour so conferred. Approval of the International Council or its Executive Committee must be obtained before Mastership is awarded having received prior nomination from the Section. Drs Clive Ross CNZM and Jackie Robinson are currently the only Master Fellows in Section VIII.
Section VIII Honorary Life Members
Honorary Life Members are Active or Retired Fellows in good standing who have made an outstanding contribution to our Section of ICD and to the profession and community in our region. Honorary Life Membership is only conferred after careful investigation has revealed a Fellow to be fully worthy of such a high honour.
Our current Honorary Life Members are:
- David Crum ONZM, New Zealand
- Peter Noblet AM, SA
- John Owen AM, WA
- Jackie Robinson, NSW
- Ron Robinson, NSW
- Clive Ross CNZM, New Zealand
- Jenny Smyth AM, QLD
- David Thomson, QLD
- Keith Watkins, VIC
Section VIII Honorary Fellows
Honorary Fellows are individuals, other than members of the College and not necessarily dentists, who have rendered conspicuous service to the cause of dental science, have contributed to the promotion of the dental profession or have otherwise significantly advanced the dental profession within the Section.
Honorary Fellowship is conferred after careful investigation has revealed said person fully worthy of such high honour.
Our current Honorary Fellows are:
- Laynesh Gebrehiwot, Eritrea
- Keith Mentiplay, NSW
- Janette Owen AM, WA
- Saia Mau Piukala, Kingdom of Tonga
- Eric Reynolds AO, VIC
- Alastair Sloan, VIC
- Catherine Snelling, SA
- Margie Steffens OAM, SA
- Wendy Toulmin AM, NSW
- Janet Wallace, NSW
- Elizabeth Webb, NZ
- William Alimani (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Ringo Wanzirendi (Democratic Republic of Congo)
CLICK HERE for the current Section VIII database.
Dr Kavita Lobo, Administrative Officer
[email protected]
ICD Council Office Website