MCLENNAN, Roger

ISBN 978-1-923443-09-9
PAPERBACK

Connections

Short Stories from 1945-2025

This collection of short and longer stories captures personal observations over the last fifty years, during a life as a physician exposed to those whose lives were blighted by disease and misfortune. Optimism ingrained in childhood has survived the realities of humanity. The stories attempt to find the humor in our existence.

About the Author

ROGER MCLENNAN was born and raised in small mallee town Sea Lake in Northwest Victoria, educated in the State School then as a school boarder at Carey in Melbourne, he matriculated to medical school at Melbourne university as resident at Ormond College for seven years followed by residency as medical officer at St Vincents Hospital. This was followed by three years postgraduate training in U.K. Oxford and Cambridge. He returned to The Alfred hospital in 1975 as haematology-oncology trainee then consultant in public and private practice relating to malignant and coagulation diseases, he was called to establish the Haematology-Oncology unit in Geelong in 1979 which grew from a cupboard in the outpatients department to a major treatment and research centre. His third retirement at 78 years, the still writing author maintains an active interest in scientific, and molecular medicine studies and other interests canvassed in the stories.

MCCULLOCH, Glenn and REILLY, Peter

ISBN 978-1-923265-07-3
HARDCOVER

Donald Simpson

Neurosurgeon and Humanitarian

DONALD SIMPSON WAS A REMARKABLE MAN.

This biography, written by two former trainees, and later colleagues, tells the story of his family background and academic career in neurosurgery, from Adelaide to Oxford. It covers the many aspects of his life – from medical research and historical interests to working with disabled and sick children and his humanitarian activities. It also contains many contributions from people who knew him and many stories about him, some humorous, some surprising but always “Donaldesque”. The unique character of Donald Simpson, neurosurgeon and humanitarian, shines through.

BOULT, Margaret

ISBN 978-1-923386-41-9
PAPERBACK

ISBN 978-1-923443-24-2
EBOOK

Frontier Medicine

 

Stories of illness and survival in South Australia 1836 – 1856

A journey into the harsh yet hopeful beginnings of South Australia, where survival was a daily battle and resilience shaped the future.

The voices of South Australia’s early settlers resonate through letters and diaries and illuminate their struggles with illness and survival. From the perilous voyage to the challenges of an unfamiliar land, these settlers faced an unrelenting battle against a strange landscape, climate, and diseases.

In 1839, Joseph Warner had grappling with the devastating loss of his wife Mary, who succumbed to illness shortly after their arrival. His diary reveals a man torn between caring for his children, managing a fledgling farmstead, and tending to his ailing wife. Such deeply personal accounts, drawn together in this book, provide vivid insights into the harsh realities of settler life.

Readers will discover how settlers coped with ailments and death, the relentless torment of insects, extremes of weather, and the rudimentary conditions of makeshift camps. The book highlights their medical concerns, their use and belief in doctors, and their resilience in adapting to an unyielding environment.

By bringing these stories to light, this book off ers a compelling exploration of the medical challenges faced by South Australia’s first European settlers. Through their words, it gives readers a chance to connect with the raw and often heartbreaking realities of life almost 200 years ago.

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About the Author

 

Margaret Boult is an independent medical historian with a keen interest in the human stories behind historical medical practices. Her work delves into the challenges of nineteenthand twentieth-century medicine, focusing on the experiences of patients, practitioners, and institutions. In 2019, she earned a Master of Philosophy for her thesis Epilepsy in the Lunatic Asylums of South Australia (1853-1913). Combining rigorous research with a storyteller’s touch, Margaret brings fresh perspectives to the intersection of science, health, and the environment. Her background in Botany and medical science informs her exploration of topics ranging from the struggles of early South Australian settlers to the resilience of children aff ected by polio. Through her writing, Margaret invites readers to connect with the past and the enduring human spirit in the face of medical adversity.

WILLIAMS, Nicholas

ISBN 978-1-923386-60-0
PAPERBACK

Proof of Life

 

The story of how an anxious country boy found out about the world and how to make a difference in it

A student elective in the New Guinea Highlands in the mid-1970s lit a fire in Nick Williams’ belly that determined his medical career. Proof of Life tells the extraordinary story of Nick’s journey through Southern Africa during the apartheid era and the emergence of AIDS and his years as a District Medical Officer in central Australia.

A young Dr Nick learned all he knew from nurses and community health workers under kerosene lamps in remote PNG and rural Africa. He embraced the ‘see one, do one, teach one’ method and discovered, with the help of brilliant nurses during a 58-person truck rollover, just how far that mantra can stretch.

Compelling and heart-warming stories unfold throughout this memoir. It’s a story of adventure, challenge, love, and confronting the best and the worst of people when providing medical care in the developing world.

In Australia, Nick’s career is enriched by working with the world’s oldest living culture in the Northern Territory, where he continues to live his passion for working in true collaboration with nurses and health workers.

During an ICRC mission in northern Pakistan, Nick confronted a world in which he could not make any difference. Polarised by feelings of frustration and terror he realised that true value is not always in outcomes but in the journey itself.

Proof of Life is a captivating story of one doctor’s journey, shaped by the places he worked, the people he met, and the risks he took to pursue something greater. Joy, excitement, terror, and fulfilment in giving it all.

About the Author

 

NICHOLAS WILLIAMS was born in 1957 in the mid-north of South Australia and trained at Adelaide University, graduating in 1980. Doing his medical student elective in the southern highlands of PNG determined the trajectory of his career. He subsequently worked in Transkei in southern Africa and Zimbabwe. He later returned to work in Zambia with his wife Jan.

Since Africa, he has worked most of his career in remote and rural Aboriginal health. This included a year in a remote Cree Indian community in Manitoba province of Canada. He has participated in two humanitarian missions to Pakistan and the Philippines for the ICRC and the Australian Red Cross respectively.

He is married with two adult children and lives in Adelaide. He is a keen bushwalker and cyclist. He has previously written the forward for Bush Nurses edited by Annabell Brayley. He has co-authored several scientific papers (Development of Standard Treatment manuals, Hepatitis C and Opioid substitution treatment). Co-edited the CARPA Standard Treatment Manual, now in its 8th Edition.

Proof of Life is his first book.

HOBSON, Michelle

ISBN 978-1-923386-04-4
PAPERBACK

ISBN 978-1-923386-79-2
EBOOK

The Ultimate IBD Handbook

 

Your Guide To Thriving, Not Just Surviving

The Ultimate IBD Handbook: Your Guide to Thriving, Not Just Surviving is the essential resource for anyone looking to truly understand and manage Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis (IBD).

Whether you’re navigating your own diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or simply eager to learn more about IBD, this book offers a no-fluff , straightforward guide to everything you need to know.

With tips on decoding treatment options, mastering colonoscopy prep (yes, there are hacks), and managing day-to-day challenges like flares, diet, and mental health, this book makes even the most daunting aspects of IBD accessible and even—dare we say—fun. Featuring a ready-to-share section for friends and family to read, this book does the heavy lifting so you don’t have to.

Written by an IBD advocate with years of fi rsthand experience, The Ultimate IBD Handbook is packed with practical advice, relatable stories, and evidence-based information. Whether you’re looking for clarity on your condition, better tools to manage your
health, or a way to help others understand what living with IBD really means, this book has you covered.

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About the Author

 

MICHELLE HOBSON, a Townsville native, built a successful career in real estate and law while raising three children and battling health challenges. After nine years of misdiagnoses, she was fi nally diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, which inspired her to advocate for better awareness and understanding of Infl ammatory Bowel Disease.

TOOULI, James

ISBN 978-1-923265-90-5
PAPERBACK

The Flinders Department Of Surgery

 

Reflections of the early years

The Flinders Department of Surgery: Reflections on Early Years by James Toouli offers an intimate glimpse into the formative years of a unique institution in Australian medicine. This collection of reflections from those present at the inception of the Flinders Department of Surgery provides readers with an understanding of how the department evolved into a vital part of the South Australian community.

In the early years, Flinders Medical Centre was distinct in its approach, where academic heads were also clinical leaders, fostering a culture of innovation in research and teaching. Through personal memories and experiences, this book captures the spirit of collaboration and ambition that defined the department. James Toouli’s introduction acknowledges the subjective nature of memory,
embracing the imperfections and personal nuances that make these reflections both rich and authentic.

Featuring contributions from those who helped shape the department, including a poignant chapter from the late Jim Watts, the book serves not only as a historical record but as a tribute to the visionaries who laid the foundation for what Flinders would become. It is a testament to a golden era, reminiscent of a modern-day Camelot, where ideals flourished, and the seeds of excellence were sown.

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About the Author

 

JAMES WAS BORN IN Limassol Cyprus and came to Melbourne with his parents and sister when 9 years old. He graduated in
Medicine at Monash University in 1970, FRACS 1977 and PhD in Surgery in 1979. He came to Adelaide as the first trainee registrar in Surgery at Flinders medical Centre and was on the resident staff when Flinders Medical Centre opened in 1976.

James was appointed as Lecturer in Surgery in 1982 and held academic positions to promotion in 1989 as Professor of Surgery.
He took over as head of General Surgery in 1986, renamed the unit Gastrointestinal Surgery Unit and remained its head until 2000.

During his professional career he held several leadership positions in Surgery nationally and internationally. He led a successful
research programme that was well funded by NHMRC and other funding agencies. Consequently, numerous surgeons and researchers from Australia and overseas obtained their research training in his unit, and many have become leaders in Surgery.

James also has made contributions to medical and surgical education being in the forefront of several changes in methods of teaching and assessment. He has initiated several training programmes nationally and internationally for which he was recognized as a member of the Order of Australia.

James is married to Helen and has two children and five grandchildren. He lives in Adelaide and on his retirement from surgery continues to enjoy the very active arts scene in Adelaide.