News

The boy from Oz - Dr. Grant Pegg

Published 17 July 2015

I am from Central Queensland and it was always my intention to return home to work after graduation from ANU so in 2010 I completed my internship at Rockhampton Hospital. It was great to return home and give something back to a community who had supported me throughout my early years.

My intentions weren’t solely altruistic however because whilst in Rocky I also had the opportunity to perform lead roles in three local musical productions which included playing Peter Allen in a sold-out season of The Boy From Oz which was an incredible experience. 

Away from the stage I was working in the Rockhampton Emergency Department during the devastating 2010/11 floods, which tested our already stretched resources. Rockhampton was cut off by road for several weeks and it was great to see the hospital community pull together to provide an effective crisis response.

Following my internship I worked for 6 months as a psychiatry registrar for the Central Queens­land Mental Health Service which was very rewarding. Working as part of a mental health service with such a large geographical catchment was truly eye-opening and I developed a keen interest in mental health during that time. I then dabbled in anaesthetics before trying a PGPPP placement with Yeppoon Family Practice in Central Queensland – which I thoroughly enjoyed.

At the end of last year I returned to Canberra as a medical officer with the Therapeutic Goods Admin­is­tration which I have found is an interesting and different way to use my medical skills in the context of the broader picture of public health – not many doctors are aware of this opportunity and it’s one I’d highly recommend. 

Whilst in Canberra I had the opportunity to perform a cameo role in the ANU Med Revue with a few other past students. As the inaugural director I am immensely proud that this tradition still continues at ANU.

I was successful in gaining a GP training place in 2013 and I intend to return to Central Queens­land again to complete my GP terms there. Before then I will be play­ing Enjolras in Canberra Phil­harmonic’s production of Les Miserables in February (sorry about the shameless plug!).

I still am very much involved with the leadership and advocacy of medical students and junior doctors and I look forward to continuing that throughout my future career as a GP. Thank you AMA ACT for awarding me the leadership prize in 2009 and for providing this opportunity.