PEOPLE WHO SHAPED SMA A MOMENT WITH ROB After this, I worked for three years in exercise physiology, and corporate Career regrets health. We were doing exercise testing Career highlights (to maximum) using a mass spectrophotometer for the gas analysis I have been honoured to work with I’m in the lucky position that I don’t (including end tidal oxygen and CO2 wonderful people throughout my have to retire until I need to! I don’t levels), blood pressure readings, ECGs, whole career. I have been taught by think there have been many career and oxygen saturation during exercise. so many that it is di ffi cult to remember regrets, as all the things that have We also performed isometric muscle them all. I am truly privileged to be part occurred to me (even though at the testing and sophisticated lung testing of the sports medicine community and time they may have been negative) (including airways testing as well as part of Sports Medicine Australia. SMA have made me the person that I am. oxygen diff usion testing). During this has so many wonderful, professional I don’t think I want to be any diff erent time, I also lectured in fi rst-aid (at a sports people working within it and I have to who I am. trainers’ level) at London Polytechnic. been privileged to be able to assist I was the doctor for the Hockey with SMA where I can. Receiving an Philosophy Association in England for 3 years, AM, my Fellowship of the Australasian and went to Malaysia with the GB hockey College of Sport and Exercise I see myself as a Healer, Teacher, team prior to the 1988 Olympics where Physicians, my Fellowship and Life Coach, Student, and Dreamweaver. they won gold. Membership of SMA are all I have tried to do things because unbelievable highlights. I have been they’re the right thing to do. I always On return to Australia, I moved back to so fortunate, that I’ve tried to give try to see the best in everybody. I try to Melbourne. I applied for a position at the back as much as I can. pick people up and move them on that Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and they can be the best that they can be was lucky enough to be successful; Advice for those starting out as well. I tried to make people happier commencing work with the AIS in 1989. for having an interaction with me. This was with my great friend and mentor My philosophy has always been “doing – Dr Peter Fricker. Shortly after, I became something because it is the right thing Thank-you’s involved with SMA (although I’d heard to do”. I have always looked forward about them while overseas) and I started and tried to fi nd ways to help others My parents for instilling a good work assisting with sports coverage, doing and I’ve always tried to consider others ethic and good morals. My wonderful lectures, and being involved in the in everything that I do. You need to wife for sticking by me. My children administration of SMA in the ACT. work hard and dream! You can do for still believing in me! There are anything! Change your future, but wonderful mentors that I had through Since that time, I’ve always been involved I hope only in a positive way. There the years from Peter Philp (my rowing with SMA. I joined the ACT committee is so much more to learn and so Coach), Dr Fred Better, Dr Peter in 1989. A couple of years later, much more that we can learn from Fricker, “Bear” (Dr Loren Rex) and I represented ACT as one of the members each other. all my teachers (o ffi cial or not). on the National Council (at that time, we had two members on the council). I have been involved at a National level, or state level since that time. I have been as a Member of the Order of Australia Sport is an important part of my life, on/off the National board for a period of (AM) for my services to sports medicine and as a Sport and Exercise Physician, about 20 years and have been privileged both on fi eld and in administrative/ I see many diff erent injuries and problems to be able to work with some wonderful teaching roles. from many diff erent sports. This is not people during that time. I have continued just injuries, but also physiological to lecture on sports trainer courses and Throughout my medical career, problems and other medical problems have assisted in editing the ‘Sports I’ve always looked after sport. I was which have aff ect the patient’s sport Medicine for Sports Trainers’ manual. the doctor for the Canberra Capitals or activity. With an ageing population, basketball team (4 years), the ACT I see all of these areas as extremely I became one of the inaugural Fellows Academy of Sport (about 15 years), important, and I still believe that fi rst-aid of the Australian College of Sports the Canberra Lakers fi eld hockey team and sports trainers are the basis of any Physicians (now the Australasian College (6 years), the Canberra Knights hockey medical team. I truly believe in Sports of Sport and Exercise Physicians). I was team (17 years), the Chief Medical O ffi cer Medicine Australia’s motto “The Team granted a Fellowship of ASMF (SMA), for the Rally of Canberra (17 years), and behind the Team”. and was made a life-member of SMA. the team doctor for Tuggeranong Vikings Rugby Union Football Club (18 years). I was proposed as one of the Volunteers I still look after Wests Rugby Union of the Year in ACT. In 2015 was honoured Football Club as a consultant. VOLUME 36 • JUNE ISSUE 2018 49