Bob Elphick

Dr Bob Elphick (1917-2005) dedicated his life to working in public medicine in Western Australia. As the first Head of the Perth Chest Hospital, which is now known as Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Dr Elphick observed first-hand the devastasting health effects of smoking.

A pioneer in tobacco control, Dr Elphick was elected the founding President of the Australian Council on Smoking and Health (WA) in November 1971; he continued to take a passionate and active role in the work of ACOSH for many years. 

When ACOSH was formed in 1971 approximately 45% of Australian males and around 29% of females smoked.  Smoking prevalence Australia-wide has fallen gradually since those early days as a result of a comprehensive tobacco control strategy combining a variety of elements, including:

• working to ensure that tobacco control legislation and policy is adopted, implemented, monitored and  enforced;

• removing the tobacco industry's financial incentive to trade;

• advocating to end all forms of tobaccco advertising and promotion;

• establishing a wide and diverse range of smoke free places;

• working to ensure that the broad community is aware of the harm causd by tobacco and the benefits of quitting;

• lobbying Govermment to increase investment in public education, community programs, school education, teacher training and other forms of tobacco education and control;

• holding the tobacco industry publicly accountable for its motives and irresponsibility; and

• working to achieve reductions in smoking prevalence among key populations.

ACOSH and its member organisations have been leaders in the fight against tobacco. As the founding President Dr Elphick was a driving force within ACOSH and an inspiring mentor to several generations of chest physicians and tobacco control activists.

ACOSH acknowledges Dr Elphick's pioneering work in tobacco control with the establishment of the Bob Elphick Medal to honour and commemorate his exceptional achievements and contribution to ACOSH. The Bob Elphick Medal is awarded annually, by the decision of the Council, to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to tobacco control in Western Australia during the previous year.

Bob Elphick Medal winners include:

• 2006 - Hon. Jim McGinty

• 2007 - Gaye Reeves

• 2008 - Dr Bill Musk

• 2009 - Dr Janet Woollard, private member for Alfred Cove

• 2010 - Paul Boyatzis

• 2011 - Dr Mal Washer MP