St Catherine’s Fellow Professor Lesley Cala Awarded Medal of the Order of Australia
St Catherine’s College warmly congratulates Professor Lesley Cala, Fellow of the College and one of its earliest residents, on being awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to tertiary education in the 2026 Australia Day Honours.
Professor Cala is widely recognised as a pioneer of neuroradiology in Western Australia and has made an extraordinary contribution to medicine, education and university life over many decades.
Lesley arrived at St Catherine’s in January 1960 as part of the very first group of students to move into the College’s new building. She later recalled the excitement of that moment: “I was the first student to enter the new building. I wanted to move into St Catherine’s the minute the builders left. It was absolutely marvellous.”
After graduating in medicine, Lesley pursued specialist training in radiology in the United Kingdom, then returned to Perth in 1970 as a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists. She went on to establish a teaching slide museum and audiovisual teaching unit at Royal Perth Hospital and later became a consultant radiologist with a special interest in neuroradiology at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
Throughout her career, Lesley played a key role in advancing medical imaging in Western Australia. She was closely involved in the introduction and use of the first CT scanner in the southern hemisphere at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in 1974, which revolutionised the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. She later undertook further training to operate one of Australia’s first MRI machines, continuing her commitment to bringing leading-edge medical technology and expertise to Western Australia.
Image: Dr Lesley Cala in 1975, with the first CT head scanner in Australia at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
Lesley dedicated much of her career to the diagnosis and study of brain tumours and neurological conditions. Her 1984 MD thesis analysed the records of 30,000 patients collected over 18 years, and her work demonstrating the use of CT scans in the accurate diagnosis of multiple sclerosis remains one of her most significant contributions to medical knowledge.
Alongside her clinical work, Lesley has been a passionate educator and mentor to generations of medical students. Even after retiring from clinical practice in 2000, she continued teaching at The University of Western Australia, where she served as a Clinical Professor in the Medical School. Her commitment to the University also included 15 years of service on the UWA Senate and leadership roles in UWA Convocation.
In recognition of her lifelong service to medicine and education, Lesley was awarded the University of Western Australia’s Chancellor’s Medal in 2023.
St Catherine’s College Chief Executive Officer Fiona Crowesaid the College community was immensely proud to see Lesley’s achievements recognised nationally.
“As a member of the very first cohort of residents to enter our new building in 1960, and throughout her remarkable professional and academic career, Lesley has embodied the College’s values of excellence, courage, diversity and leadership,” Fiona said.
“Her contributions to medicine, education and university life have made a lasting impact, and we are delighted to celebrate this well-deserved honour with her.”
Lesley’s remarkable career and lifelong commitment to learning continue to inspire generations of students, academics and healthcare professionals.
St Catherine’s College has a long-standing tradition of Fellows who play an integral role in the life of the College, contributing their expertise, mentorship and leadership to our community.