Fortuitously, I was born in the same year as the RACP, 1938. I passed the Leaving Certificate in 1955 and was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship. In 1956, I commenced studying pharmacy at Sydney University. I graduated in materia medica in 1958 (60 year reunion in 2018) and began studying medicine in 1960, graduating in 1966 (50 year reunion in 2016). I did my residencies, medical registrarship and then haematology registrarship at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney.

From 1972 to 1974, I was initially a Locum Lecturer and later Senior Registrar in Haematology at St Thomas’ Hospital, London. I remain in contact with some of my colleagues from there to this day, well over 40 years later. We had a reunion in London a few years ago.

I became a Member of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 1970, a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 1975 and a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists Australasia in 1976.

On returning from England in 1974, I was appointed Staff Specialist in haematology at St Vincent’s in Sydney and I retired as Senior Staff Specialist in haematology in 2007.

From the 1970s on, we were among the pioneers in bone marrow transplantation in this country and its variations (peripheral blood stem cell transplants, autologous bone marrow then peripheral blood stem cell transplants) over the subsequent years. However, we remained General Haematologists and I had a particular interest in haemoglobinopathies.

Prior to and in retirement, I was a member of the St Vincent’s Hospital Art Committee. Conscious of the positive effects of art on the healing process, I worked on acquiring art works for the patient and public areas of the hospital. Other art forms, such as architecture and music, are also effective in this regard and we were active in fund raising to acquire paintings, sculptures and even a piano! Many artists donated works for this cause.

In retirement, I’m kept busy with family, gardening, and attending Art Appreciation Lectures weekly at the Art Gallery of NSW. And attending reunions!