On the right William Harvey, the first person to record the circulation of the blood. He is holding a book displaying a heart to signify this, and is looking towards Vesalius, because the discovery of the circulation of the blood depended on prior anatomical description by Vesalius (and others), and also because part of Harvey's medical education was in the Italian Medical Schools of the time.

These two supporters represent the heritage of the specialty based as it is on respiratory and cardiovascular physiology together with anatomy and physiology. The issue of pharmacology is addressed by use of the botanical specimens in the charges on the shield.

The Compartments

The supporters stand on land separated by water signifying their two different countries, but also the separation of the New World of Australasia from the Old World of Europe and the significance of sea travel in the transmission of the introductory sage about anaesthesia around the world, and the separation of Australia and New Zealand by sea. The Cootamundra Wattle (Acacia baileyana) illustrated on the land where Vesalius stands represents Australia and the silver fern tree - ponga (Cyathea dealbata) on the right hand where Harvey stands represents New Zealand.

College Coat of Arms

The helmet is affronte or facing with a closed visor to indicate readiness for any urgent action. This type and position of helmet is similar to the Royal College of Anaesthetists which links us with this fraternal organisation. The colours of the College gown are incorporated into the wreath on the helmet and its lambrequin. The rising sun indicating the place of the College in the East next to the International Date Line. The rising sun links also with The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians which both have similar rising suns. The hand of the carer rising from the Lord's Cloud representing Almighty guidance links back to the Parisian medical influence and symbolises the Fellow's hand guided by the Lord caring for the patient's life. The hand holds an ankh, the Egyptian symbol of life, linking the major responsibility of the College Fellows with roots of Western medicine in Egypt. The snake of Aesculapius entwines the ankh to symbolise the medical links as well as the heritage to Greek medicine.

The Shield

The chief of the shield contains the Southern Cross indicating the College position in the Southern Hemisphere. The five stars are represented with the number of points representing their brightness. This representation is also that taken by the Victorian State representation of the Southern Cross and as no other State nor New Zealand represent the Southern Cross in this form, it symbolises the College founding in Victoria and the College Headquarters in that State.

The lower part of the shield contains the St George Cross indicating the links to the English Faculty (now Royal College of Anaesthetists) and the Christian heritage of the College. The torch of glory indicates the link to the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and their motto "fax mentis incendium gloriae". "The torch of glory inflames (inspires) the mind". The charges in the four quadrants symbolise the plants which together form the basis for the pharmacology fundamental to anaesthesia and intensive care.

Upper left: Opium Poppy Flower (Papaver somniferum) signifying analgesia - white to very soft pink with reddish purple blotches on base, large leaves and a stiff hairy blue/grey stem.

Upper right: Mandrake Plant including roots and blue flower (Mandragora officinaron) signifying sedation and anaesthesia. These charges also symbolise the Old World plants.

Lower left: Curare vine has a brownish shade bark with orange/yellow cross-sectional pith (Chondrodendron tomentosun) together with a leaf signifying neuromuscular paralysis.

Lower right: Cocaine leaf and red fruit (Erythroxylum coca) signifying local anaesthesia. These charges symbolise the New World Plants.

The Motto

"Corpus curare spiritumque" is translated "To care for the body and its breath of life" and aptly summarises the main aim for Fellows of the College.