New South Wales Operating Theatre Association
The New South Wales Operating Theatre Association Incorporated otherwise known as the Operating Theatre Association Inc. (NSWOTA, NSW OTA or OTA) is an Australian State/Territory-based non-profit perioperative nursing professional association that fosters professionalism and professional development for more than 1000 perioperative registered nurses and enrolled nurses across New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). It is one of the local associations that are part of the national body, the Australian College of Operating Room Nurses (ACORN). History. Formation. During 1956 three operating room supervisors – Miss Spense (from Royal  North Shore Hospital), Miss Sturtridge (from the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children), and Sister Mary Garbriel (from St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney) – with the help of the Registered Nurse representative of Johnson & Johnson Pty. Ltd. realised the need for these supervisors to meet, share ideas, provide support for each other, and allow for progress in this field of nursing. Through their insight, the Theatre Supervisors' Group of NSW was inaugurated in July 1957, with Sister Mary Gabriel as the first President. Contact with metropolitan Sydney hospital's room supervisors brought new members into the Theatre Supervisor's Group of NSW . The Theatre Supervisor's Group of NSW supplied answers to many problems that were discussed at the time, with Saturday lectures held at St. Vincent's Hospital. This followed with the meetings being held at different metropolitan hospitals, where networking among members from different hospitals and conducting tours of their operating rooms. Name change, membership and expansion. It was decided that the Theatre Supervisor's Group of NSW was too restricted and so the name of the Group was altered to the "New South Wales Operating Theatre Association" in 1962. This allowed all registered nurses employed in operating suites to  join and collaboratively work on issues. Membership gradually grew to encompass the Sydney, Newcastle, New South Wales & Wollongong metropolitan areas, the NSW country areas and the ACT. From the initial membership of three people in 1957, there was a rapid increase in membership due to the widening of the membership criteria and since that time, membership has increased: by 1985 to over 500 and in recent times to around 1200. Incorporation of the NSW OTA occurred in 1991. Zones. By 1972, the executive committee recognised the need to create grouping of members by geographical location and so NSW & ACT were  split into Zones. Annual Conference. The NSW OTA holds an annual conference. It is currently the event that holds the Perioperative Nurse Excellence Awards and Life Membership.