Peter Meese Memorial Lecture
About Dr Peter Meese
Dr Peter Meese was a highly regarded Melbourne physician who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 1999, sadly passing away in 2000. Peter was affiliated with many medical organisations, but worked particularly hard in the pursuit of excellence in the field of HIV and sexual health, and was always involved in clinical trials for the benefit of his patients. He made invaluable contributions to the field of medicine.
Peter was a GP and a researcher, and was known as an advocate, which was incredibly important at that time for people living with HIV. He was an advocate for his patients and for a field that was pretty marginalised – he was known as a leader.
The Peter Meese Memorial Lecture – a lasting legacy established by Dr Darren Lockie
The annual Peter Meese Memorial Lecture, cancer research grants and scholarships were established by his partner, Dr Darren Lockie, in honour of Peter and to thank Cabrini oncology and palliative care nursing staff for their compassionate care during Peter’s illness.
For more than 20 years, countless Cabrini staff, particularly nurses, have benefited from the annual lecture, grants and scholarships that are awarded to further oncology nursing research and education. Darren’s generous support in memory of Peter and the care they both received ultimately benefits all oncology patients at Cabrini.
Cabrini wishes to thank Darren for his outstanding ongoing commitment to oncology nursing and philanthropy for more than 20 years. His commitment is supporting research which will subsequently translate into better care for our patients.
“Cabrini nurses cared not only for Peter but the both of us and then, at the end, for me. Peter felt like a person not a patient. I was cared for as his partner and his carer, and we were acknowledged and treated as partners long before equality was on the social agenda. Cabrini nurses translated compassionate care into reality. This is my thank you for that wonderful compassionate care and support that you gave Peter and me. It was an amazing and empowering experience, one with lasting legacy that still drives my professional desire to deliver focused personal care every day of my working life.” Dr Darren Lockie
2026 Peter Meese Memorial Lecture
Driving equity in cancer care
How do we get there?
Presented by Associated Professor Olivia Cook
Professor of Cancer Care Nursing at Alfred Health and Monash University
Tuesday 24 March 2026
Cabrini Malvern
For enquiries, please email Gayle Pettigrew – gpettigrew@cabrini.com.au.
Registrations opening soon
In 2023, the release of the first Australian Cancer Plan set a clear mandate: to improve equity in cancer care. Although Australia is recognised as a global leader in cancer treatment and outcomes, access to high-quality cancer care is not equal for all Australians.
This public lecture will discuss the unique needs of the priority population groups identified in the Australian Cancer Plan and explore the innovative and individualised approaches to cancer care that are required to meet their unmet needs and improve outcomes.
About Associate Professor Olivia Cook
Olivia Cook is the inaugural Professor of Cancer Care Nursing at Alfred Health and Monash University, a joint appointment dedicated to advancing nurse-led cancer research. As a registered nurse and researcher with 25 years of experience in cancer care, she is deeply committed to improving the experiences and outcomes of all people affected by cancer. Her work also focuses on developing a skilled and resilient cancer nursing workforce equipped to meet the evolving needs of patients and families.
