DR ROBERT COOTER AWARD

This award has been created as an opportunity to recognize worthy recipients, a Lion, Lioness, Leo, or a non Lion, a business or corporate beneficiary.

The Dr Robert (Bob) Cooter award is in recognition of his major contribution to the Lions organisation, medical profession and the community over a period of 50 years.

In November 1966 Dr Bob Cooter was a charter member of the Port Augusta Lions Club (C1). At the time of his death on the 30th March 2017, just a few days short of his 90th birthday, Dr Bob was a member of the Prospect-Blair Athol Lions Club (C1). His immense contribution to his profession and his community are highlighted below.

Five decades of service recognised

Adelaidean issue 31921

“This award has been made to Dr Cooter in recognition of his outstanding and innovative vision for rural health, which has been important in laying the foundation for rural health training in general practice in South Australia, together with his continued contact and support of the University of Adelaide over many years.

Together we will.

Applications For The Award

Purchases can be done by: Clubs, Districts individuals or non-Lion entities.

The nominated recipient, honoured to receive the Dr Bob Cooter Recognition award will receive a personally inscribed, individually numbered plaque which will be forwarded within 3-4 weeks of receipt of order.

This award which costs $1,000.00 can be paid over two years; funds raised through this award will continue the ongoing work of the Lions Medical Research Foundation (SA).

The Contributions of Dr Robert Cooter AM

The Ambassador of Goodwill Award

In 2009 Bob was presented this award is the highest recognition available to Lions.

World First Discovery

“Cooter’s Disease”: In 1966, Bob was the first person to recognise that the cause of the epidemic of often-fatal meningitis in mid-north South Australian towns was an amoeba which thrived under certain conditions. The University of Adelaide has bestowed on Bob the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Glaucoma Screenings

In 1968, Dr. Bob Cooter, a charter member of the Port Augusta Lions Club and a local GP, organised the largest glaucoma screening ever held in South Australia.

Amblyopia (lazy eye) Screenings

In 1971 while still in Port Augusta, he organised one of the first pre-school vision testing sessions by lions in Australia.

South Australian Lions Heart Research Foundation

In the late 1970s, South Australian Lions raised $500,000 to establish this project. Bob played a leading role in the establishment of the foundation and was the secretary for several years.

Anti-Cancer Foundation

Bob was instrumental in persuading lion’s districts to join the foundation.

Mobile Mammography Unit For Screening Rural Women

From his experience as a rural medical practitioner. Bob was aware of the lack of facilities for breast cancer screening in country areas. He organised Lions to raise $135,000 to purchase a mobile screening unit.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Project

Bob conceived and organised this very effective public awareness project in which Lions clubs throughout South Australia organised specialist urologists to address club and public meetings.

Newborn Hearing Screening Program

In 2004, Bob organised Lions to raise $120,000 for 10 hand-held instruments to detect hearing loss in new-born babies in maternity hospitals, thus reducing the incidence of speech defects in later life.

Lions Hearing Dog Training Centre, Verdun

This multi-million dollar project in the Adelaide Hills was established in 1981. Bob was a member of the original organising committee. He served on the board for many years and was continuously involved with the project for over 25 years.

Australian Cranio-Facial Unit and Foundation

When this foundation was established in Adelaide in 1975, Bob was responsible for Lions becoming one of the foundation’s original support groups. He served on the foundation board for 12 years and on the fundraising committee for several years.

Royal Flying Doctor Service

When a doctor in Port Augusta, Bob joined the service as a flying doctor, traveling to outback cattle stations to treat and retrieve sick patients. He served on the national board for several years and was instrumental in Lions clubs becoming regular major donors to the RFDS. In 2010 Bob was recognised as one of the founding RFDS doctors when RFDS PC-12 was dedicated to him, together with Dr. John Mikan and Dr. John Thompson.

Member of the Order of Australia

Bob received an (AM) for his service to the community through Lions Clubs International, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Rural Health. His outstanding record of community services probably unique within Lions Multiple District 201.

“By supporting our best and brightest young medical scientists we are investing in healthy futures not only for our own community, but around the world where needs are pressing.”

Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC