By
Andrew Stackpool
Volume
48, No. 3, March 9, 2006
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MBBS
Honours graduates NURSO SQNLDR Angus McDonell, left, and
Air Force undergraduate scholarship holder Rupert Templeman
celebrate with each other after graduating from medical
school.
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SQUADRON
Leader Angus McDonell recently took a further step in a strong
family tradition of healing.
In December 2005, the Townsville-based No. 27 SQN Specialist Reserve
nursing officer graduated from medical school at James Cook University
in Townsville with first class honours and the university medal.
He commenced his two-year residency at Townsville hospital in
January 2006, but will continue to serve as a nursing officer
with No. 27SQN, until he seeks reappointment in the Reserve as
a medical officer.
SQNLDR McDonell is part of a family with a strong medical tradition.
His brother is an intensive care paramedic and his sister a nurse.
His wife is a nurse-midwife who served with him in the Royal Flying
Doctor Service, while his mother-in-law was a nursing sister.
He graduated as a nurse in 1983 and obtained specialist qualifications
in several disciplines, including aviation and aero-medical retrieval.
His nursing service included time as the senior flight nurse with
the Royal Flying Doctor Service at Townsville.
SQNLDR McDonell enlisted in the Active Reserve in 1996 as a Direct
Entry nursing officer and was posted to No. 21SQN. He transferred
to the Specialist Reserve in 2000.
During his Service career his skills have been repeatedly called
upon. In 1999, he deployed to Bougainville as an intensive care
unit/aeromedical evacuation nursing officer under Operation Bel
Isi as part of the combined health element.
He followed this in late 2001 with a deployment to East Timor
at the UN Military Hospital in Dili and then in early 2005 embarked
in HMAS Kanimbla during Operation Sumatra Assist 1 off Banda Aceh.
“I think Bougainville was the most clinically challenging
[deployment],” he said.
“I have learnt a great deal about myself while on deployment.”
He has also participated with No. 323 Wing Health Service Flight
in major exercises such as Tandem Thrust and Pitch Black.
“Air Force has been extremely supportive of my medical studies,”
he said.
“I was invited to apply for an undergraduate scholarship
but elected not to apply. However, I have been able to organise
several of my clinical placements at Air Force establishments
and the bulk of my general practice training was undertaken [here]
at Townsville.”
The now Doctor McDonell says he will remain in Townsville after
he completes his two years’ residency and is still deciding
whether to remain a general practitioner or specialise.
He will be unable to apply for transfer as an Air Force medical
officer until he completes his two years in the hospital system,
but in the meantime will continue to practise as a nursing officer
with Air Force and as a civilian doctor.
“I have been very fortunate to have a number of excellent
commanding officers and section leaders who have carefully mentored
and nurtured me. [No. 27SQN] is a wonderful unit with a fantastic
esprit de corps.”
While not a requirement as a Specialist Reserve member, SQNLDR
McDonell regularly attends No. 27SQN working weekends.
“He is a well-liked and well-respected member of both No.
27SQN and Base Medical Flight here at RAAF Base Townsville,”
said No. 27SQN Commanding Officer SQNLDR Geoffrey Kimmins.
