Where are they now – Tom McMaster (SPC 2009-14)

The College recently reconnected with Old Collegian Tom McMaster (SPC 2009-14) who has moved up to the Sunshine Coast after his first two years as a doctor in Ballarat to continue to hone a surgical career. Tom shares some of his fondest memories of his time at school, including Year 9 camps and an impromptu snow fight during a Year 12 English class.

 

  

Where has life taken you since leaving SPC?
After St Pat’s, l was off to The University of Melbourne, to study for seven more years, completing a Bachelor of Biomedicine degree, prior to a Doctor of Medicine. Those seven years involved a lot of moving around! Back and forth from Melbourne to Ballarat, but also moving around rural Victoria (Shepparton, Yarrawonga and Echuca), as a part of the rural clinical school, during medicine.

I commenced my internship at Grampians Health, Ballarat (formerly BHS), and stayed on for a second year, as it offered fantastic learning opportunities and mentors.

In between study and work since St Pat’s, l have also been lucky enough to travel to Canada, America and twice to Europe for holidays.

However, come 2024 it was time for a sea change! I have now moved up to the Sunshine Coast with my partner. Living just around the corner from the beach and working in a flash new hospital -cannot complain!

Over these coming few years, l hope to pursue a career in surgery, aiming to gain further qualifications, research and experience, all of which is necessary for selection onto surgical training pathways.

Do you have family ties with SPC?
I am one of four boys, all of which went through SPC. As such, we have a strong family tie to St Pat’s, and are very proud to be Old Boys.

 

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

• School camps, especially the Year 9 camps!
• The one time during Year 12 English class, when it snowed fairly heavy, and we ran outside for an impromptu snow fight
• Playing the magnificent lunch time game, ‘Down ball’ or ‘4 square’
• Training and competing in the First V basketball team, as well as my years rowing on the lake with my mates
• The canteen spread, including the famous chicken royal, donuts and peppermint slice.
  

  Tom was a member of the 2014 Rowing Team at SPC.

Which teacher from your time at SPC had the greatest impact on you? Why?
I can honestly say all of my teachers left a positive impact on me. Each in their own way, they were strong role models, educators and supporters of me during those adolescent years.

If you could pass on one message to the students of today, what would it be?
To try maintain a balance in your day-to-day life. Yes, working hard will always be rewarded, but this should not be at the expense of your mental wellbeing. Adding in family and friends, exercise and down time into the weekly grind will only enhance your academic progress, not distract.