"Smooth Operators" do Mater proud

As talented surgeons, they use their technical skills to save lives every day in the operating theatre, but those same technical skills also recently helped five of Mater’s Visiting Medical Officers claim victory in another arena— corporate rowing.

The “Smooth Operators” comprising Dr Scott Ingram, Dr Lew Perrin, Dr Chris Allan, Dr Simon Journeaux, Dr Paul Mainwaring and three other team members, rowed their way to victory in the 2009 Churchie Corporate Rowing Regatta Day on Sunday 23 August 2009.

However the victory wasn’t without some arduous early morning practice, as Dr Journeaux details.

“Twice a week at 5.30 am we would spend about an hour on the river preparing for the event, and being tutored in the finer arts of rowing,” he said.

Finding the sport more technically difficult than physically tiring, the team put their expertise to exceptional use in taking out the scratch 8C final, and came close to a second title.

“We made the handicap final, but unfortunately Dr Chris Allan caught a crab, causing us to come fourth,” Dr Journeaux laughs.

Dr Phil Stephens from the Paediatric Anaesthesia Department also competed in the event as part of another team, and has done for many years.

But, as Dr Journeaux chuckles, “he is still wondering what it is like to win a trophy!”

Image: The “Smooth Operators” row their way to victory at the annual Churchie Rowing Regatta Day