Occupation: Medical Director, GRAMS
What are your professional interests and specialities?
My medical background is in general practice, anaesthetics and emergency medicine, but it was during my five years in East Timor that my interests in health service development and global health really emerged. Working in Aboriginal health since I returned in 2021 has been a great opportunity to build experience of similar principles in our own backyard.
Tell us, where are you from, and how did you get to be a medical administrator in the Midwest-Gascoyne region?
I was born and bred in WA, moving to Geraldton in 2009 to pursue opportunities as a rural GP proceduralist. As the years passed I found myself gravitating toward anaesthetics and emergency medicine at Geraldton Regional Hospital, moving away from general practice almost entirely. In preparation for heading overseas I studied the Diploma of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene in Liverpool (UK), and then went with my wife and four young kids to East Timor in 2016 to work in health development in a very underdeveloped post-war nation. Five years later we returned to Geraldton – which has very much become our long-term home – and I followed on from the work in Timor with a move into medical administration at the Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service.
What do you love about the Midwest-Gascoyne?
Geraldton is a great town, especially in autumn and winter. Like the Goldilocks principle, Geraldton is not too big but not too small, not too remote but still distant enough from city life… it’s just right! We have beautiful beaches but if you drive ten minutes in from the coast you’ll find equestrian countryside or the beautiful rolling farmland of the Chapman Valley. We love the community here, the sport and local events, the fishing and the beach, and the day trips to Horrocks, Kalbarri and other nearby delights.
Did you always want to be a doctor? Why?
No, it’s something that took shape over many years. Though it has opened up so many great opportunities for me I’m still not quite sure that working as a doctor is where I want to be. I’m considering other possibilities.
What are your passions?
I’m very involved with my local church and I’m passionate about seeing people find truth and hope in their lives. I am endlessly fascinated by the world abroad, which leads me to reading history, poring over maps and planning elaborate overseas adventures (many of which never become a reality). I’ve visited almost forty countries and have spent time living in Russia, England and East Timor. I’m a passionate follower of footy and cricket, and I play with an uncommon blend of enthusiasm and incompetence. I love seeing my kids take on new challenges and growing in character and courage.
When you aren’t working, where will we find you?
You might find me on the rocks near the marina fruitlessly hurling small dead fish into the ocean in pursuit of tailor. Or I might be meandering around our three-acre Geraldton property thinking of ways to make my patchy sports lawn grow more luxuriant. Most likely you’ll see me driving past you with a furrowed brow as I’m hurriedly ferrying one of my four kids to basketball training, or music practice, or whatever extracurricular fun they’ve signed up for this week.
