The ODA Paul Murray invited Professor Alastair Millar (1965W) to The Mitre for tea, after learning of an extraordinary award made to him (see below).  Paul remembers his son James Millar (1997O) as a student at Bishops and remembers Alastair and Sue as parents at the time James was at school.  Today James practices in Cape Town, having followed his father into the medical profession.

It was great to catch up this morning (Wednesday 23 August 2023) and hearing more about Alastair's latest award, one of very many, the Fritz Rehbein Medal for Paediatric Surgery ( CLICK HERE for details about the award).

Listen to the sixty second interview below:

At the Prep Alastair was quite prominent as house captain and captain of boxing and rugby and generally enjoyed boarding but according to him, he "faded a little at College". He was a house prefect in White House, gained tennis colours and was vice-captain of Fencing, which is the sport he pursued at university. 

The teachers that made the most impression on him was John Gardener (1947G), remarkable for his dignity, excellent teaching of English and quiet good humour; Mike Fisher for his eccentricities but always interesting; and Denis Hunt, who was housemaster at White House during  his Matric year, for his honesty and directness with which he approached problems. 

Alastair trained in paediatrics and general surgery in Cape Town and the United Kingdom (University College Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children, London) before continuing with further specialist training in paediatric surgery in South Africa at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital, Cape Town, and at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.  

Receiving this medal is one of the highest honours that can be bestowed upon him and we are extremely proud of this OD who ranks in the top medical scientists in the field.