The Northern Hospital -Kissed by a King Brown

The other day Sharon Grail 'THE BOSS' (Chief Medical Imaging Technologist_Northern Hospital)asked me to submit a story on 'the Kiss' for the Northern News. I tweaked a Guardian Newspaper story (see earlier Blog)

Love that snake!

Northern Hospital Radiology-Kissed by a King Brown

Medical Imaging Technologist (MIT) at the Northern Hospital John Condliffes’ first novel, Kiss of the King Brown, begins his trilogy which explores our relationships with each other and our relationships with the world, very much influenced by his own story.

This story is set in the 1950s and captures a unique period in of Australian life. It tells the story of a young outsider in the riverine town of Koonarook-Caladonia who is nearly killed in a sudden storm and mysteriously marked by lightning (Dingarra).

In his own life, John has worked a diverse variety of jobs, and along the way he has met a number of fascinating people who now inspire characters in his book.

One of the novels main characters-an aboriginal elder Joseph Wirinum-was inspired by the stockmen John met when he was a lay missionary at an Aboriginal hostel in the Kimberley. He recalls the way they walked, heads held high and shiny buckles on their belts; and everything they say goes.

“The strong stockmen just rode into the story and became central to it,” John said.

The relationship between protagonist Sean Buttenberg and his war-affected father was inspired by John’s own, yet brief relationship with his father.

There in the back of my mind was that idea.  About that boy on the Murray and his dad. My memories of him were scant,” he says.

John began his journey in 2004, but he wants to discover more.

He says writing the book was, “Like a river and every now and then the river would drop a nugget. If I was smart I would pick up the nugget.”

John’s book was launched by local legend Leo Ramsdale OAM at Aesops Attic, High Street, Kyneton, on Saturday April 14.

John has been a MIT (radiographer) for thirty plus years. He learnt his trade in the Army starting off as a clerk in an x-ray department. He has been a Chief Radiographer a number of times and ran his own radiology business for fifteen years. Immediately before coming to the Northern Hospital he did locum work around Australia for over four years.

John started work at the Northern Hospital in March 2010 after his daughter Katy (Accident and Emergency Nurse) told him they were short of staff.  Originally it was for six weeks as a locum, he has been there ever since. John works part time mainly on the floor in “Generals.”  John loves the work and the people there are fantastic. He especially enjoys working with the interns and students who inspire him with ‘their stories.’

Northern Hospital Radiology is one of the busiest places John has ever worked as an MIT; even in the short time he has been there he has seen a significant increase in numbers. The management and staff are implementing changes and procedures to cope with this and the expected growth of the hospital, it is a very dynamic place to work he says.

Kiss of the King Brown is available from John at radiology northern hospital, online at http:/amazon.com or call 0419397936.