Geoffrey Kaye—a man of many parts

Abstract

Geoffrey Kaye was primarily an anaesthetist, but there were many facets to his life, not all of them involving medicine. He was also a researcher, author, teacher, engineer, inventor, metalworker, organiser, traveller, visionary and collector. Geoffrey Kaye had a vision for Australian anaesthesia. He put many of his own resources into the establishment of a ‘centre of excellence’ where the needs of a specialist society could be accompanied by an active educational and research facility. He was so far ahead of his time that his vision foundered on lack of enthusiasm from others. There is no doubt that Geoffrey is best remembered for his lasting legacy, the Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History, now housed at the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists in Melbourne. It is his core collection of equipment, documents and memorabilia that now gives us insight into the development of our specialty. His collecting extended beyond his love of medicine. He was renowned for his collection and knowledge of exquisite tableware, porcelain, and furniture, much of which now remains in the Ian Potter Museum collection, also in Melbourne.