The loss of two Greats – Gil Boyne and Les Bullock

Les Bullock      Martin St James    Gil Boyne

 

Hypnotherapy Profession has recently lost two greats in a matter of weeks.

It has been a pleasure to have known these two greats. Margaret Tomko brought Gil to Sydney for several seminars.  Before I knew Gil, his boxing skills also transferred to his negotiation skills.  As Les told me, that when there was a problem in the government accepting hypnotherapy, Gil apparently walked into Ministers’ offices and told them of their errors.. The situation was so desperate that Les took 6 months from practice to research and document the true benefit of hypnotherapy.  Les did not stop his hypnotherapy guidance at the state border.  Les was available where ever he was needed. I do not believe anyone actually would ever know all Les has contributed to our profession.  We do know that he has left us with a new generation with three out of four offspring playing major parts in the hypnotherapy profession -. Chris Visman

 

Les Bullock

Following are some tributes to Les and Gil.

(by Margaret Tomko)

Les Bullock – Mr Hypnosis – a very patient person with a certain shyness about him – there was no ego.

If you haven’t heard of Les, You haven’t heard of hypnosis I have only known Les for some 30 years – compared to Les’ years in hypnosis, I am still an apprentice.

Forget the schools and the development of hypnotherapists through them, Les was legendary before they emerged.  He was a pioneer and helped open up the public awareness to realise what hypnosis could do to enhance their lives.

Les was passionate about hypnosis.  He was proud of the fact that he was a hypnotherapist.  He didn’t embellish the name.  He was a hypnotherapist in every sense of the word.

Well before the current lobbying occurred to establish hypnotherapy as a profession in its own right, Les and I campaigned with many government officials and wrote many submissions.  Who can remember his ‘call to arms’ under the heading ‘Torro Torro Torro’.  What a committed and dedicated fighter you were Les, and how you earned the respect of all government officials you consulted with.

Your pen Les ,was greater than the sword.  You did your research and presented facts which were indisputable.  Your energy never faltered and amongst all of that, you still maintained a busy practice.

You gave unselfishly of your time and experience to talk at many conferences, both in Australia and overseas.  You were always available.

Over the years you received many accolades.  One that comes to mind is a plaque especially etched to honour your life service to hypnotherapy from the Master himself and the President of the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners, Gil Boyne.  We, the Professional Clinical Hypnotherapists of Australia Inc., followed this with a special presentation to you, again in recognition of your life’s work.

Les, you were an honourable, honest man who had not only honed his craft well, but was also open to learning and implementing new concepts and ideas which you incorporated in your work until you were taken from us.

Today we farewell a dear dear friend and colleague.  You were a real role model and inspiration.  You have left knowledge and experience with us and believe me, it is invaluable.

You live through your children.  We all know the love and pride you had of them.

Thank you Les for the impact you have had and will continue to have on the lives of all hypnotherapists. Margaret Tomko/Obrien (Margret presented this tribute at the funeral)

PEACEFULL  BUT  SAD  PASSING  OF  LES  BULLOCK  on Friday 15/05/10  AND  EXPRESSING  CONDOLENCES  TO  HIS  FAMILY
Don March                                 

Everyone who has had the opportunity of  associating with Les as a friend, client or fellow practitioner will be saddened by his passing and on behalf of my wife Kate and myself and all Hypnotherapists in Australia, may I extend our deepest sympathies to his Family in their sad loss.   Joane Goulding, who is attending a conference in Hong Kong, has asked me to convey her sympathies and to commend his considerable contribution to advancing the progress of Hypnosis in Australia.

I am well aware that many tributes to Les's achievements will emerge from far and wide in the days ahead and I am certain his family will welcome same, to add to the pride they already hold for their much loved Father.   One of the most important contributions Les made to Hypnosis in Australia was in1989 when Les coordinated a six month Political campaign to fight the threatened freedom of NSW Hypnotherapists to continue to practice without harm, as they always had and there were no grounds for Hypnosis practice to be restricted to Psychologists etc.  The latter had achieved  restrictions across Australia, except NSW between 1967 and 1973 by using fear tactics and unsubstantiated evidence to influence Politicians to pass copybook Legislation, containing restrictions with infringement penalties in all States except NSW.   They maintained these restrictions in all States until recently, when Competition Legislation Principles were applied to Professions and the State Inquiries accepted objections to their existence.

But referring back to when NSW Psychologists drafted a revision of their Act in 1989, they tabled same in Parliament containing Hypnosis restrictions.   Les led a six months campaign of lobbying and prevailing on Members of both parties, including past and present Premiers, Health Ministers, Cabinet and Opposition counterparts.   The final debates and motions successfully demolished the Psychologists' proposal and a document is available, which records speech extracts from Hansard containing obvious facts and lobbing material from the campaign, based particularly on the highly Professional and Ethical record of practice by NSW Hypnotherapists.

Finally, the formerly restricted States, won their freedom progressively from 1995 onwards and it was of considerable assistance in every State in the removal of the restrictions, to be able to use the NSW model of highly professional conduct by Hypnotherapists and the aforementioned Parliamentary debate material in their submissions to Official Inquiries.

We are left with your wonderful Heritage and fond Memories Les and many people have and will have happier and healthier lives from your life journey.
Farewell to a constant friend and advisor,     On everyones behalf   .   Don March.   0398020379       This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Gil Boyne

It is with great sadness that I hear of the loss of a dear dear friend,
colleague and mentor Gil Boyne.

Gil first came into my life in the late 1970’s when I attended his course in Los Angeles.  Ann, his wife was there welcoming us with her easy and gentle hospitality.  The room was packed and all present were enthralled with what the “master” was imparting.  My previous association and knowledge of hypnosis (as was the four Australian friends also attending his incredible course), was with long drawn out visualisation to induce trance and then deliver scripts.  We took pride in the fact that we were the first Australians to have studied with this most impressive and knowledgeable man.  My hypnotic world came alive with instant inductions, regression and transforming therapy.  Gil was a brilliant and awe-inspiring teacher.

Following this and over a period of some years, I arranged for Gills to come to Australia on four separate occasions in order that my fellow colleagues and their clients “down under” would benefit from what Gil had to offer.  The responses to all of his visits were always overwhelming.  His instant inductions and Transforming Therapy appear now to be an automatic inclusion in various teaching academies in this country.

Gil’s commitment to the advancement and acceptance of hypnotherapy knew no bounds.  Whilst in Australia he made contact and met with the then Minister for Health in NSW and made himself available for media interviews.  He knew we were struggling with government acceptance, and he went into the “fight” on our behalf.  He made quite an impact.

During one of my visits to Los Angeles to attend and present at the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners Conferences, I was honoured to be asked to be a member of a panel to convey recognition to Gil for his service and dedication to hypnotherapy.

My contact with this incredible man has been constant over the years, either by phone or e-mail or in person.  I will miss his humour, his voice, his enduring friendship, his loyalty, his compassion and his generosity of both mind and spirit.   Gil, your memory will continue to live on not only through your outstanding knowledge, but also with those of us who have been fortunate to have known you as a friend.

Margaret O’Brien/Tomko

When Gil first came to Australia many years ago, we were in terrible trouble. Right around Australia, the use of hypnosis was restricted to doctors, dentists and psychologists. Our State of New South Wales was the only one where restrictions did not apply, but it was being seriously considered. Gil marched into our State Parliament and and threw down the gauntlet to the the senior politicians, and showed them why they should back off. Most important of all, he taught us how to fight back. Since then, our State has never been restricted, despite numerous attempts to introduce this legislation.. He taught us well. Les Bullock.

If it wasn’t for Gil, I believe that today, the complete control of our hypnosis would have been in very limited hands in Australia. The battle is still going on, but we are now much better equipped to resist . Afrer a very long and bitter struggle, we had these unfair laws thrown out of all of our States except one.  As a result of this, many hundreds of thousands of Australians have enjoyed the benefits of this wonderful therapy. However the battle is not over, and we are still having to resist the forces of evil. We will forever owe a great debt of gratitude to Gil for his wonderful work on our behalf.

Les Bullock, Sydney, Australia.