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[Not a recent work but recently revisited] Description: A surgeon dissects down to the heart of our origins and the part played by orthodox Christianity and in doing so unearths some surprising anomalies. Challenging the meaning of life is the truest expression of the state of being human.  Viktor e. frankl1 This small essay followsContinue reading “Come to Church Papa”

Preface I have returned to edit this essay some ten years since it was originally written in order to paste it on to my website. Some modifications will be added and alterations made. I note that a physician has found his way to be among surgeons. This physician, Norrie Robson, made such an impression onContinue reading “Surgeons I Have Known”

John Clement Pfitzner 1942 – 2013 For Diana, Martin, David and Emily Preface John Pfitzner died unexpectedly on 29th January, 2013 at the age of 70 years. He had an unafraid and questioning mind which he exercised in the pursuit of truth, unbound by orthodoxy.  Gentle but always uncompromising, he left a legacy of clearContinue reading “Letters, Papers and Poems of John Clement Pfitzner”

Growing up in post-war South Australia, Ross’s path to a surgical career followed a typical pattern of seeking qualifications and experience overseas. Returning to Australia in the sixties, Ross’s career spanned the most technologically innovative period in medical history. Written primarily for family and friends, this collection outlines his experiences and observations on the rapidContinue reading “Surgical reflections”

Travelling from an Australian summer to the winter spectacle of Siberia was breathtaking in itself. But what was impossible to shake off on this 21st century journey was the image of a young Russian noblewoman who, in 1826, chose exile and hardship over the wealth and comfort of urban St Petersburg; who left behind aContinue reading “Maria Volkonsky: a Russian vignette”

Cover notes: He watches me hit some balls and says, ‘We have to throw off the shackles.’ He gets me to loosen my grip and to let go through the swing, not trying so hard to do everything right. I chortle with amazement as the 7-iron connects, and the ball, shot after shot, follows itsContinue reading “Golf: Poetry in motion”

Cover notes: I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking…Continue reading “The Poetry of sailing”