The University of Western Australia is deeply saddened by the loss of Clinical Professor Lesley Cala OAM, who died last week aged 87. A pioneering neuroradiologist, educator, women’s rights champion and enduring presence at the University, Professor Cala was renowned for her unwavering commitment to medicine, education and the community.
Professor Cala was born in Cottesloe in 1939 and her connection to UWA began in 1960, where she became one of the first residents of St Catherine’s College’s new building. When she graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine in 1964, she was one of only four women in the class.
Following graduation, Professor Cala returned to her alma mater as a tutor of anatomy and physiology, before pursuing further medical training in the United Kingdom, obtaining a Diploma and a Fellowship of the Faculty of Radiologists, and establishing herself as a leading expert in neuroradiology.
She returned to Perth in 1970 and was appointed a teaching Fellow in Radiology at Royal Perth Hospital, while also working as a consultant radiologist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital.
In 1975, Professor Cala achieved a significant milestone by providing the five Perth teaching hospitals with access to CT brain scans, procuring the first CT machine in the southern hemisphere for Perth.
Her later research laid the foundation for enhanced diagnosis and treatment options for patients with intracranial tumours, changing the landscape of medical practice in Western Australia and creating an enduring legacy.
Image: Professor Cala in 1975, with the first CT head scanner in Australia at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (courtesy of St Catherine's College).
In 1991, she was appointed Clinical Professor by UWA, a position that was renewed every three years until the time of her passing.
Beyond her medical career, Professor Cala was an advocate for women's interests, holding significant leadership and advisory roles in organisations including the National Council of Women Australia, the International Council of Women and the UWA Centenary Trust for Women. She also served as a Member of the Advisory Council: WA Minister for Women’s Interests (2010-2013) and the BreastScreen WA Community Reference Group (2009-2024).
After 50 years of teaching, research and practice within UWA, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital, Professor Cala spent 15 years as a member of UWA Senate, before committing to Alumni (Convocation) Council, from 2010 to 2023, including as a Councillor, chairing the Awards Committee for three years, and serving as both Deputy Warden and Warden (2020-2022).
During her time as Warden, she guided Convocation: UWA Alumni Association through the challenges of Covid with care, compassion and steadiness, demonstrating her deep commitment to our students, alumni and staff.
In 2023, she was awarded the Chancellor’s Medal in recognition of a lifetime of service to UWA, giving tirelessly as a professional and volunteer for many decades. Earlier this year, she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to tertiary education in the Australia Day Honours.
Image: Professor Cala in 2023, during the award ceremony for her Chancellor’s Medal.
Throughout her life, Professor Cala demonstrated her strong belief that education is the basis for eradicating poverty, domestic violence, racism, bigotry, and for its power to provide equality of opportunity. She will be deeply missed by the communities for which she worked so hard.
The University extends its condolences to Professor Cala’s family, friends, and all whose lives were touched by her remarkable impact.