David Shearman

Three-time graduate Dr David Shearman co-founded a charity in Australia that helps doctors and students to work together in environmental and health advocacy.

Your time at the University

I applied to Edinburgh Medical School because of its illustrious medical history and I hadn’t been to Scotland! On the day of interview at the Med School I travelled from rural Yorkshire, up the steps from Waverley station and asked for directions; I could not understand a single a word. I was in a different country! Around the table were perhaps 15 professors and a dean, many were “Sirs”… they asked me what book I was currently reading, “The Ascent of Everest" by John Hunt…Tom Bourdillon, mountaineer, of that expedition visited my school and gave me advice on my climbing…. I was carried away with enthusiasm….I don’t remember any other questions!

The medical course in the 50s had gifted teachers such as Sir Derrick Dunlop who created the Dunlop Commission to assess the side effects of new pharmaceuticals. He spent hours on teaching at the bedside and we were captivated. He was a great orator, his main lectures were to final years, but the large lecture in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh was packed by students from all years, sitting in aisles or standing. Each student felt he was speaking just to them.

Teachers were friends, mentors and leaders; life was frugal but frequently inspirational. The most vital part of education was interactive life with the students from every country bringing their cultural, political and life experiences to Edinburgh. For me there was involvement in international organisations, being part of the editorial team of the student medical magazine and election as secretary of Cowan House. The Union Jack was burned on the steps of the Old Quad and Vice Chancellors were researchers of international consequence, muddling around in tatty jumpers rather than smart suits and briefcases. As a student I met my future wife and life-long friend, Clare France, a nursing student, on the wards of the Infirmary, happy days then and indeed now sixty years later.

Teachers were friends, mentors and leaders; life was frugal but frequently inspirational. The most vital part of education was interactive life with the students from every country bringing their cultural, political and life experiences to Edinburgh.

Your experiences since leaving the University

As a medical student I had also qualified BSc (Hons) and published some research in refereed journals. After graduation in 1962, I continued my research, trained for the medical fellowship and then became Consultant Physician, gastroenterologist and researcher in the Royal Infirmary with a spell as Hon Associate Professor at the Yale University Medical School.

Then in 1975 at the age of 37 together with Clare and children we departed to the Chair of Medicine in Adelaide. There, in parallel and linked with practising medicine, teaching and leading medical research, I served in several non-government environmental organisations, and became President of the Conservation Council of South Australia. With the late Professor Tony McMichael I formed Doctors for the Environment Australia, where doctors and students work together in environmental and health advocacy. I have continued this work since I retired from the Chair fifteen years ago.

In my early 80s I am fortunate to be still able to work full time on this mission, writing articles for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and newspapers, reports for government and teaching our student members by including them in our groups to meet and talk to Members of Parliament. For this work I have received many awards including the Order of Australia.

Thank you to my University and to Scotland for equipping me to serve humanity in this way, I had a tear in my eye when the McEwan Hall was recently rededicated and I could not be there, for travel is now difficult for me.

If you recognise me please write!

Alumni wisdom

In our individualistic society please give some of your time to the voluntary movement, where the effort is collective, altruistic and complementary to your career. The cause doesn’t matter as long as it burns your guts. Refugees, Greenpeace, poverty and hunger etc, you choose a cause you care about. Remember that those who put the stamps on the envelopes in voluntary organisations are just as important in the team effort as the elected committee.

In our individualistic society please give some of your time to the voluntary movement, where the effort is collective, altruistic and complementary to your career. The cause doesn’t matter as long as it burns your guts.

Related links

You can email David Shearman at: mountlofty@ozemail.com.au

David Shearman’s website (external link)

Doctors for the Environment Australia Annual Reports (external link)

ABC opinion piece 'Climate change is World War III, and we are leaderless' by David Shearman (external link)

ABC opinion piece 'Human survival cannot be left to politicians. We're losing our life support systems' by David Shearman (external link)