Vale, Lyn Oliver AM

It is with great sadness that we inform members of the passing of Associate Professor Lyn D Oliver AM, one of the most influential figures in medical physics in Australia and a cornerstone of the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM).

Lyn was instrumental in shaping the College from its earliest days, serving as part of the steering committee that founded ACPSEM. His contributions to the profession spanned decades, beginning as Honorary Secretary in 1978 and continuing until 2023, when he concluded his tenure as a Board member of the ACPSEM Foundation. His impact on medical physics and the College is immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to influence generations to come.

Among his many achievements, Lyn played a key role in the development of the accreditation system for medical physicists through ACPSEM in 1985, a foundational step in ensuring the highest standards of professional practice in the field. He was a skilled administrator who also served as College President from 2004 to 2005, a period marked by intense advocacy for healthcare improvements, particularly in cancer care, during the time of the Baume Inquiry. His leadership helped secure much-needed federal funding, strengthening the College and supporting the broader medical physics community.

In addition, Lyn drove the initiative to establish Medical Physics as a separate classification of scientist in the hospitals in recognition of the high levels of attainment that the practice required which led to the establishment of an industrial award in NSW that encouraged accreditation of medical physicists to elevate the standard of the profession in line with the recommendations of the Baume Report.

Beyond his contributions to ACPSEM, Lyn was widely recognised for his dedication to the field of radiation oncology. His service was formally acknowledged in 2011 when he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his contributions to medical physics and professional associations, including his executive roles within ACPSEM.

Lyn’s passing is a tremendous loss to our community, but his contributions and leadership will continue to inspire us. Lyn was a visionary and truly a giant of our field and we who follow are privileged to be able to stand on his shoulders.

Our thoughts are with his wife Barbara, family, friends, colleagues, and the many professionals whose careers he influenced.

A celebration of Lyn's life will take place on Thursday, 14 March 2025 at 2pm AEDT.

Lyn’s family warmly invite you to remember their much loved husband and father, to be held at Lotus Pavilion, Macquarie Park Cemetery, Macquarie Park, NSW.

Please arrive at 2pm for a 2.15pm start. There is plenty of parking available (follow signs to the Lotus Pavilion).

The wake will be held onsite following the ceremony at the Wallumatta Centre.

If you plan to attend the ceremony in-person and/or the wake, please click here to RSVP. The link for the livestream will also be available on the RSVP page on the day.

(Note: the RSVP page may be slow to load. Please try refreshing the page, an alternate device, an alternate browser, or connecting to an alternate Wi-Fi network.)

We encourage all who knew Lyn, and those who wish to celebrate his significant contributions to our field, to pay their respects.

May Lyn rest in peace.

ACPSEM