John was born in 1948 in Temora, NSW, one of three siblings. He attended high school in Grafton, NSW, and studied Medicine at UNSW (Sydney) from 1964 to 1970, graduating with honors and graduation prizes in both Medicine and Surgery, residing at Basser College at that time.

His postgraduate training was at St George Hospital Sydney and Concord Repatriation hospital, from where he obtained his MRACP (subsequently FRACP). He was one of the youngest to do so at his first attempt.

He was the first fellow in Cardiology and was also Clinical Superintendent, Dept. of Medicine, at St George Hospital for two years before being appointed as a VMO. He then assisted in the development of the Cardiology department with Dr. Robert Lavoff, FRACP, and Dr. Peter Barrett, FRACP.

His subsequent appointments were:

• Visiting Cardiologist and Physician, St George Hospital Sydney (1977-2005).
• Clinical lecturer, University of NSW (1975-2005).
• Member, State Committee RACP (1978-1979).
• Examiner, RACP (1988-2001).
• Conjoint Senior Lecturer, University of NSW (2000-2006).
• Director, St George/Sutherland Cardiopulmonary Laboratory (1977-1997).
• Fellow, Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (1982-2023).
• Chairman, Quality Assurance Committee St George Public (1990-1996).
• Director, Southern Heart Centre St George Private (1996-2023).
• Chairman, St George Private Hospital Medical Complex Advisory Committee (1995-1996).
• VMO, Cardiology St George Private Hospital (1997-2020).
• Visiting Cardiologist and Physician, St George Hospital Sydney (1977-2005).
• Clinical lecturer, University of NSW (1975-2005).
• Member, State Committee RACP (1978-1979).
• Examiner, RACP (1988-2001).
• Conjoint Senior Lecturer, University of NSW (2000-2006).
• Director, St George/Sutherland Cardiopulmonary Laboratory (1977-1997).
• Fellow, Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (1982-2023).
• Chairman, Quality Assurance Committee St George Public (1990-1996).
• Director, Southern Heart Centre St George Private (1996-2023).
• Chairman, St George Private Hospital Medical Complex Advisory Committee (1995-1996).
• VMO, Cardiology St George Private Hospital (1997-2020).
• Clinical lecturer, University of NSW (1975-2005).
• Member, State Committee RACP (1978-1979).
• Examiner, RACP (1988-2001).
• Conjoint Senior Lecturer, University of NSW (2000-2006).
• Director, St George/Sutherland Cardiopulmonary Laboratory (1977-1997).
• Fellow, Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (1982-2023).
• Chairman, Quality Assurance Committee St George Public (1990-1996).
• Director, Southern Heart Centre St George Private (1996-2023).
• Chairman, St George Private Hospital Medical Complex Advisory Committee (1995-1996).
• VMO, Cardiology St George Private Hospital (1997-2020).

John was an extremely successful physician, not only because of his excellent clinical acumen but also his calm and empathetic bedside manner, endearing him to all. His good nature and integrity made him a popular colleague and chosen arbiter in inter-collegiate difficulties.

John has been an excellent sportsman, be it in rugby, skiing, or athletics. He was the St George Rugby League Club doctor during 1972-1974.

Retiring in 2023, John continues to pursue an extremely active lifestyle in Cronulla, along with his Anaesthetist wife, Carolyn (née Fitzgerald). They enjoy time with their large family, friends, ocean swimming, bushwalking, and widespread travel.