Where are they now – James Fahey (SPC 2007-12)

The College reconnects with James Fahey (SPC 2007-12) who is a doctor and has been a regular guest speaker at the annual SPC Careers Expo, sharing his knowledge with our current students interested in medicine.

 

 

Where has life taken you since leaving SPC?

I graduated from SPC in 2012. I completed my Bachelor of Medicine/Surgery at Monash University and I am currently (2020) completing a year of residency at Eastern Health, in Melbourne, focussing on critical care medicine, which I am keen to explore in the coming few years. This followed an internship at Austin Health in 2019. While at Monash, I spent six months living and studying in Stockholm, Sweden in 2016 and worked in a hospital in Malawi, Africa, in 2018 which was an intense and eye-opening experience.

I love to teach, and have regularly presented tutorials for younger medical students. Gymnastics has been difficult to maintain in Melbourne, so that passion has largely transformed to weights training. I am also a 14-year proud member of the Hawks, with four premierships during this time including three in the last five years (probably my proudest ‘achievement’).

 

What are your favourite memories of your time at St Patrick’s College?

That time when our maths class of eight students decided to throw a party for no reason whatsoever, and everyone rocked up with food, cake and party hats -“ Mr (Hamish) McCrum kind of just shrugged and went along with it. Or the gymnastics training after school with Brother Scott. The Year 9 camps. Hanging out with mates every recess and lunch (gosh you miss that one when you leave school). The list goes on and on.

 

Which teacher from your time at SPC had the greatest impact on you? Why?

Too many to choose from, but if I honestly had to give one: Mr Neal Arthurson. Mr Arthurson was my homeroom teacher in Year 9, and the man who spearheaded the St Pat’s -‘Path to Manhood’ philosophy for my class. He well and truly succeeded. Year 9 was when I really came out of my shell. My marks went up, the gym became my second home, I had an established group of friends, and my self-identity started to come together. Mr Arthurson was my role-model and a constant source of support, and I count myself very lucky to have his guidance in Year 9.

 

If you could pass on one message to the students of today, what would it be?

If you enjoy your work, then it never really feels like work. Find what you’re truly interested in and pursue it.