Sylvia Docker Lecture
Sylvia Docker Lecture
The Sylvia Docker lecture was established in 1964, to honour Miss Sylvia Docker who established the first training school for occupational therapists in Sydney in 1941 and is presented at the OTA national conference biennially.
One of the objectives of the lecture are to inspire and advance the development of the profession. Another is to contribute to occupational therapy literature through a creative and inspirational reflection of professional practice, research or education.
The lecture also endeavours to encourage occupational therapists in their professional careers and honours those who have outstanding contributions to occupational therapy.
Frequency: Biennial
Prize: Gift, travel to conference, accommodation, conference fees and framed certificate.
Applications for this award are currently closed.
A Brief History
The lecture commemorates the foundation of the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists (AAOT) in 1945.
The first lecture was delivered at the 4th Conference of the AAOT in 1966, by Miss Gwendoline Sims, Senior Occupational Therapist at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney.
Award Recipients
OTA members can access each lecture through the links provided here or can download a PDF (300KB).
2023
Professor Leeanne Carey
Ignite your passion, and connect, to make a difference
Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, Volume, 71, Issue 1
2021
Lindy Clemson
Relevance and Resilience: A bright future for occupational therapy
Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, Volume, 69, Issue 1
2019
Gail Whiteford
Together We Go Further – Service Co-Design, Knowledge Co-Production and Radical Solidarity2017
Susan Gilbert-Hunt
Partnership, Inclusion and Innovation in Occupational Therapy: Essential or Optional Ingredients to Flourish in a Changing Environment?
2015
Jenny Ziviani
Occupational Performance: A Case for Self-Determination
2013
Natasha Layton
The Practice, Research, Policy Nexus in Contemporary Occupational Therapy
2011
Sylvia Rodger
Leadership Through an Occupational Lens: Celebrating our Territory
2008
Rebecca Allen
21st Sylvia Docker Lecture 2008
2005
Marilyn Pattison
OT – Outstanding Talent: An Entrepreneurial Approach to Practice
2003
Louise Farnworth
Time Use, Tempo and Temporality: Occupational Therapy’s Core Business or Someone Else’s Business
2001
Anne Cusick
OZ OT EBP 21C: Australian Occupational Therapy, Evidence-Based Practice and the 21st Century
1999
Ann A. Wilcock
Creating Self and Shaping the World
1997
Jeannine Millsteed
The Contribution of Occupational Therapy to the Fabric of Australian Rural and Remote Communities
1995
Peggy Farrow
Foundations for the Art and Science of Occupational Therapy in the Twenty-first Century
1993
Ruth Grayson
Footprints on the Sands of Time – Reflecting on the Impact of Attitude
1991
Janet Bell
Communicating a Professional Image
1989
Carolyn Webster
Occupational Therapists – Change Agents or Agents of Change
1986
Clio Wallace
Whither Occupational Therapy?
1984
Joanna Barker
Into the 21st Century – Are We Ready?
1982
Cecilie Bearup
Occupational Therapists Must Be Facilitators Not Inhibitors of Action
1980
Elaine Wilson
Caring Qualities and Quality Care – The Key to Effective Occupational Therapy
1978
Freda Jacob
1976
Bronwyn Farquhar
Quality Control – The Challenges Before Us
1973
Lillian Weickhorst
Administration in Occupational Therapy
1970
Betty Cameron
The Real Basis of Life is Human Relationships
1968
Sara Philcox
Meeting the Challenges of Cultural Change and Medical Progress in The Organisation of Occupational Therapy Education
1966
Gwendoline Sims
Occupational Therapy in Australia – The Formative Years
Vale: Gwendoline E. Sims
Miss E. Hudson
ntroduction of the First Sylvia Docker Lecturer