I obtained my MRACP in 1961. Following internship and Medical Registrar at the Alfred Hospital where, among others, I was inspired by physicians H. B. Kay and J. M. Gardiner, I proceeded in early 1962, to London via the Panama Canal and New York as a ship's surgeon with Port Line. There, I had been accepted to do an 8-week post-graduate course in Cardiology and Respiratory Medicine at the National Heart and Brompton Hospitals.

At the National Heart Hospital, I was especially influenced by Dr Paul Wood, whose textbook on cardiology was famous. He supported my successful application as Registrar to Dr Hugh Fleming, Consultant Cardiologist of the Cardiac Unit, Papworth Hospital, Cambridgeshire. This, I found to be very useful experience, particularly as cases were drawn from all over the counties of East Anglia.

Appointment as Fellow in Medicine at the Alfred Hospital led to my return to Melbourne in late 1964, again as ship's surgeon with Port Line, this time via the Suez Canal. Appointed Honorary Physician to outpatients in 1965, I commenced private practice in general medicine with special interest in cardiology, continuing this until retirement in 2000. Election as Associate Member of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand in 1966, was followed by full membership in 1969. I became FRACP in 1970. Appointment as Honorary Physician to inpatients (1973 to 1974) was followed by Senior Physician in charge of a General Medical Unit from 1975 to 1990.

From 1968 to 1971, I was Sessional Cardiologist for the Work Assessment Centre, National Heart Foundation (Victoria Division) and Chairman of the Health Care Committee from 1975 to 1990. From 1978 to 2000, I acted as Medical Director of Swiss Reinsurance Company in Melbourne, to advise underwriters and to lecture when asked. Representing the RACP, I was on the Advisory Board of Dandenong Hospital from 1978 to 1980, and the Southern Memorial Hospital from 1980 to 1986. I served on the Victorian Regional Committee of the Cardiac Society from 1981 to 1984, (Chairman from 1983 to 1984).

During the 1980s, at the Alfred Hospital, I was Chairman of the Section of Cardiology, and Chairman of various working parties of the Medical Committee to do with Renal Services, Respiratory Services and restructuring Medical Services. I held the position of Senior Visiting Cardiologist from 1991 to 1998, at the Alfred Hospital. During all these years (from 1965 to 1998), I had the pleasure of lecturing and teaching Monash University medical students, mostly in their final year and also taking part in postgraduate training in Cardiology for those preparing for MRACP examinations.

All through my career, I was fully supported by my wife, Jill, an ex-Alfred Hospital nurse. We have three children, all boys and seven grandchildren. My other interests have been travel, photography, reading, music and the arts and most importantly tennis as regularly as possible.