Edward Durham Smith 1922-2025

USANZ was saddened to hear the news that Dr Edward 'Durham' Smith AO recently passed away. 

The following obituary was prepared by Dr Alan Woodward.

Edward 'Durham' Smith died peacefully at the age of 103 on the 21st of August 2025.

Durham is sadly missed by his three sons Geoffrey, Phillip and Steven and their families, and his partner Lorna Henry. His wife Dorothy died in 2015, a wonderful marriage of 67 years.

Durham was in the group of surgeons including Robert Fowler, Justin Kelly and John Hutson who were brought on to the staff of Royal Children’s Hospital by Douglas Stephens.

Durham was held in great respect by all his colleagues. He had a remarkable international standing with honorary fellowships from the surgical colleges in England, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa and Japan. He was awarded the Gold medal for excellence in Paediatric Surgery in England and America. Durham was the President of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, The Pacific Association of Paediatric Surgeons and The Australian Association of Paediatric Surgeons. Durham was awarded the Order of Australia the AO for his extraordinary contribution to surgery.

Durham’s operating room was calm, everything was planned and nothing left to chance. His surgery was completed quickly and smoothly in an effortless manner. It was a privilege to be on his operating team.

Durham was a wonderful teacher and has left a legacy of his surgical trainees to carry on his work all over the world. He was truly a surgeon’s surgeon and a remarkable man.

USANZ thanks Dr Alan Woodward for writing this obituary.