GUEST SPEAKER - DR BARRY MORPHETT
David Brown introduced Associate Professor Barry Morphett. David said that on completing Year 12 at Aquinas, Barry studied Medicine at the University of Melbourne, graduating in 1975. He worked at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and the Royal Brisbane Hospital qualifying for membership of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 1984. Since then he has worked as consultant physician and gastroenterologist at Southwest Health Care in Warrnambool. In 2007 he was appointed to the Deakin University School of Medicine as Associate Professor and Director of the Greater Green Triangle Clinical School. He is also a member of the National Examining Panel of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
Barry summarised the history and success of the Deakin University School of Medicine and how it has grown from 1 student in 1992, to 15 in 2014, and to being oversubscribed for next year. The Deakin University School of Medicine has built a reputation for excellence and this was backed up by some interesting statistics as well as photos of the rooms set aside for the School at SW Healthcare where students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including life-like responsive dummies on which to practice and build confidence before moving towards real life situations.
Students were often reluctant to move away from home to study in Warrnambool, however this is short-lived and Barry believes this is due largely to the dedication, knowledge and experience of the team of teachers and staff working at the school. This team also participates outside the school in activities which are not only fun, but help develop communication skills, which are important to have in dealing with patients. One such activity is the “Morphett Cup” cricket game between staff and students with 20 per side. Somehow the staff always manage to win!
It is hoped that the students’ experience in Warrnambool will encourage them to stay on in Warrnambool or to return in the future.
David thanked Barry for his speech and presented him with a certificate for a mosquito net to be given to a needy family in his name. Barry also extended an invitation to Rotarians to visit the facility at some time in the future.