PEOPLE WHO SHAPED SMA Iwas a fifth generation farmer being raised on a peanut/dairy farm in Western Queensland. That was to be my life. I finished my schooling boarding at Brisbane Boys College with no other plausible plan than to return to the farm. I then learned an important life lesson – on the delusions of being in control. Dad sold the farm within a few weeks before I finished my schooling. I spent some restless years searching, including being Admissions Officer at a large hospital. This motivated me to save up enough money to attend the University of Queensland and I studied Physiotherapy. Upon graduation, three pivotal events happened in April 1967. Firstly, I became married to Dimity Crist, a Speech Therapist. Secondly, directly after our honeymoon, I started in private practice, virtually straight from University, and thirdly, I joined the NSW Branch of ASMF (as SMA was then). These three circumstances inspired, directed and anchored my life consistently for the next fifty years. I had a strong sporting background participating in athletics, Rugby and boxing (State Welter Champion), and in my first week in practice, during my first game back, the Queensland Rugby Union Secretary invited me to be the This inspired me tremendously. At the Medical Attendant at all interstate and time, and this was early days in Sports international games, instead of the Medicine in Australia, I also attended traditional ambulance man. This the Annual General Meeting of the ASMF challenge and opportunity quickly and was warmly welcomed. This was only developed into me becoming the their third AGM and I was thrilled to meet inaugural physio for the Queensland such prominent luminaries as Brian team (now known as the Reds) and Corrigan, Howard Toyne, Ken Fitch the Wallabies. Because I was the only and Barrie Towers, among others. The I spent some restless years physiotherapist in Brisbane involved committee implored me to try and create searching, including being in major sport (in that era), I quickly interest to start a Queensland group. became the physio for the Kangaroos, Admissions Officer at Queensland Rugby League, Australian One of my work colleagues was Dr Kevin Rules, Basketball, National Life Saving, Hobbs, Queensland Rugby League MO. a large hospital. Netball and hockey competitions, Test I mentioned this to him, so we called Cricket matches and many other sports. a meeting and co-founded the It was an exciting time. Queensland Branch of ASMF in 1970. Kevin became President, and I became By the end of my first year, however, the inaugural Secretary-Treasurer. Such I realised I needed a lot more experience was the interest and enthusiasm, within in all facets of Sports Medicine, so in a year, Queensland had more numbers 1968, I flew to Sydney to spend a day at than any other ASMF Branch. I sat on Dr Tony Millar’s first Sports Medicine the National Board for seven years and Clinic in Australia, at Lewisham Hospital. the Queensland Board for twelve years. VOLUME 36 • ISSUE 2 2018 53