 | James Fitzpatrick
2001 Award
A poet, philosopher and amateur astronomer in his spare time, James Fitzpatrick, is a medical student with a passion to raise awareness of the need for greater commitment to rural practice. A young man who takes action rather than just talk about it, James' lifelong commitment to community service has more recently taken on a definite direction into the area where he believes he can make a difference - public and community health in remote Australia. His school days in Bathurst in rural NSW fostered a love for the country which initially lead to university studies in Agricultural Science at the University of New England. A year of service in the Australian Army saw a change in his life's direction, and James completed a Science degree before enrolling in the Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Western Australia. However, his love for the country did not change and the past three years have seen James enthusiastically involved in the SPINRPHEX rural health club, representing students in all health disciplines with an interest in rural Australia.
He has been instrumental in shifting the focus of the club to include community service as a major component of activities, and he has co-ordinated the activities of the 15 student rural health clubs around Australia, representing over 2500 students. Close to his heart is his work with the Carnarvon Children's Festival in Western Australia, where members of the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities are encouraged to come together. James says it is hoped that through their purity of heart, the children can teach the adults a little about living in harmony. James has juggled full-time study and two part-time jobs, with his local and national representative roles, which have included representing the National Rural Health Network on the Department of Aged Care- Rural Training Subgroup and at the 4th World Rural Health Conference in Canada in August 2000. Despite his hectic work load, James still finds time for his other hobbies - travel, sport and music. James plays the didgeridoo, saxophone and harmonica. As a schoolboy, a teacher asked James what his goals were. "To be happy, to make others happy; and to reproduce, Sir", he replied. An answer he says is still the same today…
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