ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
A local doctor has proudly told his mates down at the Royal Betoota Country Club that his son is now a doctor, which was received with the same mild fanfare you’d see after a 16ft chip-in on the 18th.
Our town’s only ENT surgeon, Dr Gavin Clarke, explained to The Advocate that the district might have a second one after son Gilbert ‘Gilbly’ Clarke received his marks back from the grueling Surgical Science Examination in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (SSE in OHNS) and they were beyond what was needed.
“I couldn’t be prouder,” said Dr. Clarke senior.
“It hasn’t been easy for Gilby. Despite having me around to answer questions and give some advice, he’s largely done it on his own. In fact, I think it would’ve been harder for him than the others in his class. He would’ve been assessed much harder because those assessing him are my contemporaries.
“One of my leftie mates down at the Country Club, he’s a GP obviously, he said it was honestly to be expected, that I’d have a son who grew up to be a doctor, considering Gilby is still living at home and didn’t have to work during his study. That’s a fair point, and I can see where he’s coming from, but at the end of the day, Gilby isn’t a banker. He’s not a scumbag politician or a property developer; he’s a doctor.
“Yes, it’s been easier for him to become one than others. The elite private schooling, co-curricular sport, having doctors in the family. All of that does make the path easier. However, Gilby is going to be diagnosing and treating disorders and diseases affecting the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck. His study and dedication will make lives better. He could’ve done anything else. He might develop some sort of god, superiority-type complex, but as long as he’s not hurting anyone or he has mates who will put shit on him constantly to take him down a peg, then I see that as an innocuous side effect.
“You can say it’s not fair until you’re black and blue in the face, it’s not going to change what’s already happened. Hopefully, the government will make it easier for clever kids from disadvantaged backgrounds to become whatever they want in the future.
“However, until that day, I’ll be watching Gilby make short work of the golf course. Something that I’m also quite proud of.”
More to come.
