History of the ASA
The ASA was established 27 October 1992 by the Victorian Ultrasonographers Group, with interstate support as a body that exclusively represented the sonography profession. The founding President Andrew Martin’s mission was to move towards sonographer registration with an agenda to preserve and improve the sonographer role in the medical imaging profession. The purpose the organisation was founded on is still relevant today “the ASA will work for recognition, registration of its practitioners, education and continuing education for sonographers at all levels, and to maintain, standards of practice in the provision of high quality ultrasound diagnosis and community value for the ultrasound healthcare dollar”.
We've come a long way since then; the ASA is now the peak body representing sonographers in Australasia with over 7,000 members.
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2022 |
Submission for sonographer regulation under the NRAS finalised May 2022 Launch of Ask an Expert and Podcasts 30th Anniversary of the ASA on 27 October |
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2021 |
First Hybrid Annual Conference held in Brisbane Launch of Member App Consumer website launched |
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2020 |
Website redeveloped and online learning opportunities substantially enhanced First fully virtual Annual International Conference held |
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2019 |
Launch of new sonography research summary Making Waves in Sonography Research Pru Pratten Memorial Sonographer of the Year relaunched as Pru Pratten Memorial Life Time Achievement Award ASA membership reaches 6,000 |
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2018 |
25th Annual Conference held in Sydney with record attendance Launch of ASA Research Grant program Launch of annual Australasian Sonographers Day, 27 October |
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2017 |
Launch of new website and new web address at www.sonographers.org ASA membership reaches 5,000 Member participation in CPD program reaches 2,000 Launch of new member e-newsletter Cross Section |
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2016 |
ASA Fellowship Program established |
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2015 |
ASA membership reaches 4,300 The Strategic Intent 2015–2020 sets a clear direction for the future of the ASA and sonography profession |
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2014 |
Membership votes to change the association's name to the Australasian Sonographers Association ASA becomes registered charitable organisation Launch of Sonography journal and separation from soundeffects news |
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2012 |
Membership reaches 70% of accredited sonographers in Australia Strategic Plan 2012–2015 initiatives include New Zealand branches, asawebinars and online reference collection |
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2011 |
Competency Standards for Entry Level Sonographer contribute to quality of sonography in Australia Inaugural Awards of Excellence |
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2009 |
ASA membership reaches 2,500 |
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2008 |
Current corporate branding introduced with launch of Strategic Plan 2008–2012 PD-asa established |
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2005 |
First Special Interest Group Symposium held in Hobart in October (vascular and O&G streams) |
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2004 |
ASA becomes a company limited by guarantee and governing body changes to a Board of Directors First CEO appointed in November 2004 and ASA office implements a formal structure |
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2003 |
First Travelling Workshops held Organisational review by external consultant sets the course for significant governance and structural change |
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2002 |
ASA membership reaches 1,000 and Rural & Remote Support is launched |
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2001 |
Sonographer accreditation recognised as the minimum standard in Medicare regulation |
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1999 |
First formal strategic plan developed Full-time secretariat appointed to support the ASA Council |
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1997 |
ASA membership reaches 600 Inaugural Sonographer of the Year award soundeffects news changed from newsletter to publication format |
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1994 |
First Annual National Conference held in Sydney in June ASA partners with ASUM and ASMIRT to establish the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) |
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1993 |
ASA membership reaches 300 |
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1992 |
Australian Sonographers Association (ASA) registered under Victorian Law on 27 October 1992 |