AN ONLINE EDUCATION EVENT
In ANZGOG’s ongoing effort to offer educational opportunities to Fellows, Trainees, Registrars, and early career clinicians and nurses, ANZGOG will be hosting an online Preceptorship focused on the management and treatment of ovarian cancer.
When?
Friday 20 November 2026 | 12.00pm – 5.00pm (AEDT)
Saturday 21 November 2026 | 10.30am – 12.40pm (AEDT)
The Preceptorship 2026 Learning Objectives are:
- Clinical Knowledge: Enhance understanding of diagnosis, treatment pathways, and emerging therapies in gynaecological oncology.
- Research Capacity Building: Encourage evidence-based practice and participation in gynaecological cancer research.
- Survivorship Focus: Equip participants with tools to manage long-term physical, emotional, and psychosocial challenges faced by survivors of gynaecological cancer.
- Mentorship and Networking: Facilitate relationships between early career professionals and leaders in the field.
Anticipated outcomes from Preceptorship 2026:
- Increased knowledge in best clinical practice in the multi-disciplinary management of early and late-stage ovarian cancer
- Increased understanding of the importance of biology and pathology of common and rare ovarian tumours
- Increased competence in managing the options for treatment of recurrent disease and understanding how treatment decisions are made.
- Increased understanding of the novel therapeutic agents being developed to treat ovarian cancer and how knowledge of genomics and molecular pathways guides drug development.
- Improved confidence and competence in managing patients with symptoms of the disease and the side effects of treatments.
- Identification of potential future leaders in gynaecological oncology.
- Increased research output in ovarian cancer research.
Deadline for Submission Thursday 1 October 2026
MEET THE CO-CHAIRS
Prof Gorringe is a scientist from New Zealand who obtained a PhD from Cambridge University (UK). This was followed by post-doctoral positions at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and James Cook University before returning to the Peter Mac where she became a Group Leader in 2016.
Her group uses genomics and functional approaches to address clinical questions in breast and ovarian cancer. A key interest is mucinous ovarian cancer, funded by grants from NHMRC, MRFF and OCRF. She is currently the Chair of the Australia and New Zealand Gynaecologic Oncology Group (ANZGOG) Ovarian Tumour Working Group.
Associate Professor Rhonda Farrell is an academic gynaecological oncologist and the Director of Gynaecological Oncology at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney. Rhonda has a PhD in the area of peritonectomy and HIPEC for ovarian cancer. She is currently the Vice President of the International Gynaecological Cancer Society, which has over 10,000 members around the world. Rhonda is active in research into gynaecological cancers through her involvement in clinic
al trials, mentoring early career researchers internationally, and as a member of the Research Advisory Committee of ANZGOG. She is the current Chair of the National Gynaecological Oncology Registry. Rhonda has a special interest in extended cytoreductive surgery, surgical training, and clinical trials.
Dr Catherine Shannon is Senior Medical Oncologist at Mater Cancer Care Centre, Director of medical oncology clinical trials unit at Mater Research Senior Lecturer University of Queensland. She is the principal or co-investigator on a number of phase I, II and III clinical trials in breast, gynaecological and solid tumours. She has previously served on the Executive Committee of the Medical Oncology Group of Australia, on the board of Australian Society for Breast Diseases and as the medial oncology consultant for the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre and Cancer Australia. 
Dr Shannon completed a fellowship with Breast Cancer Unit of the Royal Marsden Hospital where she researched pre-operative endocrine therapy of breast cancer and the use of biological markers as predictors of response to treatment. She obtained extensive experience in phase I and II trials of novel agents for metastatic breast cancer. Her research publications include the molecular genetics of synchronous gynaecological tumours and neoadjuvant therapies for breast cancer. Dr Shannon chaired the committee in writing endocrine therapy guidelines for the management of advanced breast cancer and is currently on the working group for the development of cervical cancer treatment guidelines. Currently chair of the ovarian cancer working party for ANZGOG.
Dr Shannon has a special interest in the management if breast cancer in young women and pregnant women and has published in this field.
Testimonial from Prof Paul Cohen, Chair, ANZGOG Research Advisory Committee:
“Preceptorships are among the most valuable things we do at ANZGOG. They provide an outstanding educational opportunity for early-career clinicians and researchers to interact with and learn from experienced multidisciplinary clinicians, scientists, and mentors – and from one another. Knowledge and critical appraisal skills are not absorbed by reading journals alone – they are passed on through mentorship, observation, and engaged multidisciplinary discussion. That is what our ANZGOG preceptorships nurture and pass forward.
Our decision to focus on ovarian cancer this year reflects a hard reality. It remains the most lethal of gynaecological cancers, still too often diagnosed late, and despite recent advances, platinum resistance continues to limit what we can offer patients whose disease returns. Building the next generation of researchers and clinicians equipped to confront these problems is not optional — it is how the field moves forward. Supporting ANZGOG preceptorships is a direct investment in that future, and in the patients who will benefit from it.”
Testimonials from trainees who participated in the ANZGOG Preceptorship 2025:
“Participating the ANZGOG preceptorship 2025 allowed me to explore topics I hadn’t previously considered in regard to the wider impact of gynaecological cancers not only by preparing my own topic with the help of my supervisor but also listening to my fellow presenters on the day. It was a fantastic educational activity, well organised and well supported!”
Susan Healsmith, GO Registrar
“The ANZGOG preceptorship was an excellent opportunity to gain exposure to a broad range of topics in gynaecological oncology. The mentorship was particularly invaluable and offered guidance on evaluating the relevant literature and its clinical relevance by an expert in the field. Additionally, the presentations invariably sparked interest and inspiration for future research. I would highly recommend this preceptorship to anyone interested in pursuing a career in gynaecological oncology. “
Chloe Higgins, O&G Registrar
“The ANZGOG preceptorship was such a unique opportunity to broaden my knowledge of key survivorship issues which are extremely important in successfully providing holistic care to our patients. I really valued the close cooperation and feedback I received from my mentor and the added benefit of this relationship was the opportunity to work with someone outside my usual team providing a diverse perspective and skillset. I found listening to all colleagues’ presentations and panel discussions very insightful and covered a broad range of topics in a succinct and relevant way. I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to being involved again in the future “
Danielle Christmas, GO Fellow
If you have any questions please contact Heshani Nesfield, ANZGOG Membership Officer at heshani.nesfield@anzgog.org.au.
