Retrospective

Abstract

IT HAS TAKEN MORE THAN 30 YEARS for Australian Health Review to evolve into the prestigious professional journal that it is today. In the early years, the Australian Healthcare Association, the Australian College of Healthcare Executives and the Australian Public Health Association each recognised the need for a publication to facilitate dissemination of ideas, publish research results, report on innovations and encourage active debate on health care issues. Each struggled in their own way, at times separately, at times collectively, and various attempts were made at commercialisation. The journal as it is known today was first published in September 1978. In recognition of the collective effort that has been made by many to establish and manage this professional journal, past editors of AHR and its predecessor publications were invited to contribute an article for this collection. Not all were able to be located and not all were able to accept the invitation. However, it is a pleasure to present this collection of interesting and diverse reflections from my colleagues.