Brian Adams
I thought it time to put pen to paper - not having contributed before & now having been retired from medicine since I turned 70 in 2014. I entered NSBHS from Chatswood OC with the rest of the class (26 of 28 I think). My journey through NSBHS was pretty uneventful-enjoyed sport (cricket & rugby & athletics) but fractures of a metatarsal in 1 year & a fractured ankle in the following year slowed me down some. But probably meant I studied more to get into medicine. During 1959 I became a Christian during the Billy Graham crusade & part of the working out of that was a desire/calling to do medicine & probably serve overseas. I succeeded in getting Com Schol & gained admittance to Syd Uni med school.
After graduation I was glad to get out of Sydney & with 6 other Sydney graduates took off to Launceston for first year of residency where I met Sue Suthons (one of Sydney graduates) and we got engaged at the end of our residency. It was a busy hectic enjoyable year. Second year was completed in Auckland/Christchurch. We married in Auckland (51 years so far) & Sue then joined me in Christchurch. From NZ we moved to Darwin (3rd year residency) – where we had both been promised paediatric terms-to fill out our experience for later general practice. While in Darwin I was asked to be locum med superintendent for East Arm Leprosy Hospital. There were about 1,000 patients mainly aborigines around coastal areas of NT, Qld & WA. As this was the particular need in Tanzania that I knew about thro CMS (mission), that fitted like a glove. We completed our year in Darwin & returned to Sydney for further studies (Diploma of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene) then mission training & language study (Swahili). Prior to our departure Sue had medical problems so that we finally left Australia in 1975 by which time we had 2 boys aged 1 & 3.
Our time in Tanzania was tough for all with shortages – food, pharmaceuticals, diesel etc. The fellowship was great-with Aussies, Kiwis, Brits & of course Tanzanians. Beware of snakes rabid dogs, cholera & a few other nasties. Our 3rd son was born in Mvumi Hospital Tanzania with Peter Keith’s help (he was one of staff there). Our hospital Hombolo was a sister hospital 30 miles north-This was 15 miles north of Dodoma the new capital of Tanzania. A number of Australian architects had been seconded to Dodoma from CDA in ACT. At Hombolo we did some tendon transplant surgery, foot wear modifications -as well as dirty surgery & control work in neighbouring areas. We completed our time there & returned home in 1981 with 4 boys – Steven was born at RNS whilst on furlough.
I did locum work for a while & also 6 months at Crown Street (before this highly regarded institution was closed-Politics!!) 12 months as a Registrar at Royal Ryde Rehab. Then a locum job for David Fulton, an old boy of “the school”, at Harris Park.
We, Sue & I bought the practise off David. It thrived with modifications through to 2014 (33 years) when we hung up our shingles. At that time our work was mainly in Castle Hill & Baulkham Hills.
Bradley, our first born followed in our footsteps doing mission work in Ethiopia - as a teacher & eventually headmaster, in an international school. He & Krisha have 4 children. Their first, and our first grandson Sebastian has just completed his first degree (international studies) at Macquarie. Their 2nd Helen was adopted at 3 months in Ethiopia. A delightful young lady who has adjusted marvellously to life in Australia. To complete their family they have twins Patrick & Lauren who excel at soccer (recent premiers) & 3000 meters/cross country (national level).
David remains single - a Civil-Engineer (Water) who has taken his skills overseas where he has worked in Aceh (post tsunami), Maldives, South Sudan (on dais when it achieved nationhood) Madagascar, refugee camp in northern Kenya (for a couple of years) Lebanon (5 years)(fortunately had left when Beirut exploded! He has completed MBA in Nice. He loves rock climbing & setting up routes for others to follow.
Luke is the athlete of the family having represented Autralia at World Juniors (Portugal ) prior to representing Austraia at 3 Commonwealth games & 3 Olympic games. He came home with 3 silver medals & a sixth place at Beijing as a Race Walker.
Steven our youngest was a good soccer player - in school firsts from year 9 to year 12 at Trinity. He is now a fireman (regular job) & a relief High school teacher in Perth. As a result of failed IVF he & wife went down the path of surrogacy in Kiev Ukraine. They returned 3 years ago with twins. A boy & a girl. We actually have 5 sets of boy-girl twins in the family now! We look night after night at the tele & see Ukraine -WHAT a MESS.
We have been greatly blessed with 4 healthy boys & 6 grandchildren. Our country --- inordinately blessed !!!