The last chainsaw story !

G'day

At last I have got closure on the whole chainsaw story - have a look at my new toy. Future photographs of our home might look slightly different as our park-like surroundings are at risk...............I don't think we'll ever be short of firewood.

I received some good news from the Australian Medical Council ( AMC )and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians ( RACP )this week. I have been assessed as being " substantially comparable " to a Paediatrician who has been through the Australian training programme. They have asked for a 12 month Peer Review period which I should be able to claim most ( but not all ) of retrospectively. Following this , provided they are satisfied which they have been so far, I will be " invited " to become a Fellow of the RACP. Having made the decision to come to Australia with the expectation that I would have to write their Paediatric Exams, this has been an unexpected bonus for us. We were never under any illusions about what preparing for the exams would have entailed. My colleague from The Netherlands has not been as fortunate and will have to do the clinical exams and spend some time in Community Paediatrics. Another South African colleague has been spared the exams but has to spend some time in Community Paediatrics. Their scenarios have made us even more appreciative.

Matt had a disco at school on Friday night while Bron, Jen and I joined our Paediatric Team at the Nabiac Hotel ( 40 km South ) for the presentation of a $ 22 000 cheque to our Children's Ward. The money was raised at Nabiac's annual Demolition Derby a few weeks ago and was gratefully received. The Hospital Budget provides for our basics but extras ( and some basics to be honest )are funded by the generous donation of others. Nabiac is a small community and it was a big effort by them.

I'm enjoying today's ODI much more than I enjoyed Friday's...............

With lots of love
Dyl, Bron, Matt and Jen