Back Page Interview

Jon Gillies (OTG 2000–2005)

As part of ‘Beyond the Uniform’, a men’s health initiative by the Old Trinity Grammarians’ Association, in partnership with Trinity Grammar School, in this Back Page Interview we hear from Jon Gillies (OTG 2000–2005). Many thanks to Eddie Gibbons (OTG 1982–94) for asking the questions.

Jonny, you were School Captain in 2005, in 2006 you spent your gap year at a boarding school in the UK, then you completed the Bachelor of Medicine at Monash University. Where have your life adventures taken you since?

I completed a five-year undergraduate Bachelor of Medicine at Monash University, which was a progressive and exciting course, and a great time in my life. I then worked at Monash Health, completing an internship and two general medical years before entering general practice, where I’ve been since 2015. Since gaining my specialist registration as a GP in 2017, I’ve worked in Aboriginal health, addiction medicine, public health, with the Richmond Football Club’s men’s and women’s VFL and AFL teams, as well as at my main GP clinic in Richmond.

You are the club doctor for the Richmond VFL team – what does this involve?

It has been a fantastic and privileged experience to work at Richmond Football Club for the past five seasons and to get an insight into how a truly elite sports club operates. I’ve been the men’s VFL doctor since 2018 but I have also done a handful of women’s games and some of the men’s AFL, alongside a terrific team of physios and other doctors. Succinctly put, it’s the respect and care for every person either in or outside the club which really permeates into the work ethic and the end product with on-field success. For me, if everything is going well (which mostly it is at Richmond!), then I really take a back seat. Although I need to be dependable and present if things go wrong, I’d like to think I’m hardly noticeable. At the end of the day, the players are young adults who want clear, consistent advice and a relatable person to deal with, which I hopefully deliver.

In your role as a GP, what are some of the trends you have been seeing and assisting patients with over the past 12 to 18 months?

At my Richmond clinic, the working-from-home phenomenon, coupled with the rise in health awareness has meant we’re busier than ever. It’s undeniable there is an incredible burden of mental ill-health continuing to emerge, predominantly related to the way the pandemic has disrupted our lifestyles. A lot of people who have never suffered significant mental ill-health have struggled with a sudden and unexpected loss of connection and certainty. Essentially, it’s a rational and expected response to a tough situation, but the duration and severity here in Melbourne has caused suffering. It’s nice that GPs are often the first port of call, and we can often help, even just by listening and validating those feelings, then strategising together what to do about it.

What are the key men’s health risks and what are some of the effective steps that could assist in a man’s life journey?

A complex question, but the first things are recognising that something doesn’t seem right and knowing that it’s OK to get help when you feel that way. That sounds simple, but those two steps – recognition and acceptance – are often the most difficult.

I often talk about the bio-psycho-social model of wellbeing because it helps frame the approach to these issues and opens conversations. There might be something in a person’s genetics, or their psychological view of themselves or the world, or something going on in their environment, that is affecting their mental health. Or it could be a bit of all three. It’s OK to talk with someone about this if you care for them, and just listen for a while. If it’s severely affecting your loved one, friend or family member, then it’s also fine to suggest they get help, just like you would recommend if they felt short of breath or had a swollen leg. The best thing you could do is support them to access help, and just be there, loving and consistent. They’ll appreciate that.

What are the next phases or steps in the Jonny life story?

I am currently the Public Health Medical Officer with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), which has been fascinating. I think I’ll see where that path leads – like a lot of people, I’m aiming to just get through the pandemic then I’ll reassess.

richmondmedical.com.au/ dr‑jon‑gillies/

Friendships born on the field of athletic strife are the real gold of competition. Awards become corroded; friendships gather no dust.

– Jesse Owens

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