The museum was founded in 1935 by Dr Geoffrey Kaye (1903-1986). He believed that in order to understand our present, we need to understand our past, which helps us better plan for the future.
Housed in Ulimaroa, a heritage listed, 19th century Italianate house on St Kilda Road, Melbourne (which now forms part of our college headquarters), the museum holds temporary exhibitions onsite and online, and a comprehensive collection for historical research. It became an accredited museum in February 2015.
The future
In 2022, the museum went through a reaccreditation process with the Victorian branch of the Australian Museums and Galleries Association. One of the requirements for reaccreditation was to provide a document which outlined plans and aspirations for the future.
The museum prepared a document focused on audiences, the role of the museum, sustainable business, learning, being and representing, and society and the wider world.
In 2023, the museum undertook a whole of collection significance collection. The independent consultant, Dr Megan Cardamone of Circa Museum Services, found the collection to be the most comprehensive of its type in the world, and of national and international significance. You can read the full significance assessment.
Visit
The museum is open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). Bookings are essential. If you have any questions or would like to arrange a visit, please contact Museum Curator, Veronica Dominiak.
Explore our collection
The museum houses a collection of over 8000 objects, some of which have been made available online. To see the museum’s collection, visit the Victorian Collections website.
The museum online
The Museum has all its temporary exhibitions online as well as shares content via social media: Instagram, Facebook.
Events and courses
The Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History runs events and courses to explore the history of anaesthesia and pain medicine and to help medical professionals and members of the public develop and fine-tune their historical research skills.
If you are interested in donating to the museum, please read the information below and contact the museum via email or telephone +61 3 8517 5309.
Explore our history and heritage
The college was founded in February 1992 after operating as a Faculty of Anaesthetists within the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
Our oral history project captures the memories of people, places and events as told by important individuals within the specialties of anaesthesia and pain medicine.
We were awarded letters patent for a coat of arms and crest in 1992. Letters patents are a published written order issued by a monarch granting an office, right, title or status to a person or corporation.
Our archives document the history and administration of the college, and its predecessor, as well as records of the Faculty of Pain Medicine. The archives are a rich source of primary material about the history of the organisation, and many individuals within it.
Ulimaroa is a heritage listed, 19th Century Italianate mansion, now incorporated into our Melbourne headquarters on St Kilda Road in Melbourne. It was purchased in September 1993, when the college was established.
Anaesthesia is one of the greatest discoveries of modern medicine. In fact, many of today’s operations, especially for the very young, very old, or very ill would not be possible without it.
The History and Heritage Advisory Panel reports to the CEO and sits within the ANZCA committee framework and structure. It works on matters relating to the history and heritage of the college, and the specialties of anaesthesia and pain medicine.
This annual grant program provides up to $A5000 for research and interpretation of the history of anaesthesia, pain, and perioperative medicine.