RETIREMENT OF FOUNDATION PRESIDENT
Nicholas Outterside was born in England in 1908. Having matriculated with honours, he graduated as a pupil teacher and passed the Entrance Examination to Oxford. His future in England appeared secure, but his family decided to join the elder son in Australia, arriving here in September, 1925.
He applied for and gained a Teachers' Scholarship in New South Wales and was to have commenced teaching in February, 1926. Looking for temporary employment, he commenced work in the new and first X Ray Department at St. George Hospital, Kogarah, the "temporary employment" was to span twenty-five years.
His first period at St. George was from 1925 to 1939. During that time he attended evening courses at Sydney University and joined the Pathology Technicians' Association in 1928.
It was in 1930 that he began working towards an organisation for radiographers and became actively involved in the formation of the technical section of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Radiologists. In 1939, Mr. Outterside spent some time in private practice. He then went to Lewisham Hospital. During the war years he relieved in New South Wales from Manly to Broken Hill. It was a hectic time meaning on occasions he was working two hospitals simultaneously. Mr. Outterside returned to St. George Hospital in 1945 and left in 1951 to go into commerce. Later he joined the staff of Parramatta District Hospital and became Chief Radiographer in 1963. He will retire in October, 1973.
From 1940 onwards, he was very active on consolidating the technical section of A.N.Z.A.R., both home and overseas sections, in preparation for the separation of radiologists and radiographers.
In 1950, the incorporate body of the Institute came into being, with "Nick" Outterside as President. In 1951, the Governor of New South Wales signed the appropriate legal documents and the Institute of Radiography became an accomplished fact, with Mr. Outterside being elected the first President of the Australasian Institute of Radiography.
In 1954, Mr. Outterside was recognised as a Foundation Fellow of the A.I.R.
Like most radiographers, he has radiographed many strange things; some for research purposes and others for curiosity, such as postage stamps, bank notes, ram's testes, snakes, mice, hybrid maize, flowers, seeds of pinus radiatus, handbags, car parts, pearls and precious stones for the diamond trade.
Throughout the years, he has always tried to encourage all radiographers (especially the younger ones) to take a wider and more diverse interest in their chosen profession.
Mrs. Maura Outterside summed up her husband's contribution to radiography with typical modesty when she said "I suppose you could say that, in radiography, Nick is a legend."
Those of us fortunate to be present at the Adelaide Conference will long remember the eloquent simplicity of the speech made by Nicholas Outterside as he cut the cake to mark the 21st birthday of the A.I.R.
We pay tribute to our foundation president on the occasion of his retirement and wish him good health and happiness.
(The Radiographer Vol 20 No 4 October 1973 p.118)