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Wesley鈥檚 Scholarship Celebration is always a highlight of the academic year. Our guest for 2024 was Professor Chris Blyth (87-91).

The stage was set for a fascinating conversation.

Earning a scholarship to Wesley is no easy task. It is the result of hard work, dedication, and years of consistent effort. With that in mind, our Scholarship Celebration is always a wonderful event 鈥� a chance to show our scholarship recipients how proud we are of them.

Every year, we invite a previous scholarship winner to talk to the students. This year we were delighted to have Professor Chris Blyth (87-91) join the Head of College, Mr Ross Barron, for a conversation about his career in medicine, as well as the value of hard work, curiosity, and community connections.

As well as being a former College Captain, Chris is a Professor of Paediatric Infectious Diseases at UWA, Head of the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases at Telethon Kids Institute and a Paediatric Infectious Diseases Physician and Clinical Microbiologist at Perth Children鈥檚 Hospital. For many people, he is most well-known for being at the forefront of WA鈥檚 response to COVID-19. Chris鈥檚 recent election to the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences marks another milestone in his impressive career.

Here are some highlights from the Q&A:

Professor Chris Blyth shares his memories.

Ross Barron: Chris, congratulations on your recent induction into the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. Can you explain what this honour means for those outside the medical field?

Chris Blyth: Thank you, Ross. It鈥檚 a significant recognition. In Australia, there are five learned academies, including the Academy of Science, the Academy of Humanities, and the Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. It鈥檚 essentially a collection of senior people who are perceived by others to be leaders in the health and medical science space. Being among them is a great honour.

Ross: Wesley has long ties with your family. Can you tell us about your experience as a student here?

Chris: I started as a Year 8 student and attended the father-son camp in 1987. I remember having wide eyes, just like some of the younger students here today, looking ahead to all the years to come. Having an older brother a year ahead of me helped me know what to expect. I graduated in 1991, and it was an incredible experience that, looking back, feels like a long time ago.

Ross: Your son has graduated now, but what was it like being a Wesley parent?

Chris: There was a real sense of familiarity. The buildings are largely the same 鈥� in fact, some of my son鈥檚 teachers were my teachers! His Year 12 chemistry teacher, for instance, taught me, which was kind of surreal. But Wesley is also a different place now, in a good way. Educating young people has evolved, and I think that鈥檚 wonderful to see.

Ross: Wesley connections seem to last a lifetime. Have you seen this play out in your own life?

Chris: Yes, all the time! Recently, a work colleague reached out after seeing something about this event and said, 鈥淚 had no idea you were a Wesley boy!鈥� And I said, 鈥淚 had no idea you were, either.鈥� Wesley connections show up everywhere. There鈥檚 a common link, a sense of opportunity and community that comes with being an Old Collegian.

Head of College, Mr Ross Barron, presents a Scholarship pin.

Ross: Let鈥檚 talk about your career in medicine. What initially drew you to this path?

Chris: I鈥檝e always enjoyed understanding things, especially in science. I was science-heavy at school, fascinated by Mathematics and understanding how systems work. Medicine seemed like a good fit. Honestly, when you leave school, you don鈥檛 really know what any career will look like, but I knew I liked science. And it has been incredibly rewarding over the last 30 years.

Ross: You were a huge help to the College during the COVID pandemic. What do you think the future holds for situations like COVID?

Chris: My job is all about infections, and realistically, we鈥檒l face more pandemics in the future. In my career alone, there have been two major pandemics 鈥� Swine Flu in 2009 and COVID in 2020. There were also near-misses like SARS in 2003 and MERS in 2014. So we do need to be prepared, both locally and internationally. I hope we don鈥檛 go through the same challenges as COVID again, but I think it鈥檚 important to have open conversations about what we can do better next time.

Ross: There鈥檚 a lot of talk about vaccine scepticism. Have you noticed this in your work?

Chris: Yes, vaccine scepticism has increased, particularly since COVID. But it鈥檚 worth noting that 90% of the Western Australian community is still vaccinated. We need to continue open conversations about the benefits and risks of vaccines. Public health needs transparency, and people have a right to ask questions. I welcome those conversations 鈥� they鈥檙e essential.

Head of College, Mr Ross Barron, asks Professor Blyth a question.

Ross: I often ask successful people this: what percentage of your career is talent versus hard work?

Chris: 聽I鈥檇 say 5% talent, 95% hard work. I鈥檝e had some great opportunities, but hard work and commitment are what make the difference. The work is very rewarding, and I get a lot back from patients and colleagues. It takes time, but that hard work drives you forward.

Ross: What advice would you give to our new scholarship recipients?

Chris: Make the most of every opportunity. Wesley offers a strong foundation, so reflect on how lucky you are to be at this school and living in a state like WA. Embrace the community, follow your interests, and work hard. Appreciate all the wonderful opportunities that are around you 鈥� celebrate them and run with them. Life will take you to amazing places if you stay open to possibilities.

Ross: Thank you, Chris, for sharing your time and experiences with us today.

Chris: My pleasure. It鈥檚 wonderful to be here, and I hope today鈥檚 scholarship recipients find as much meaning and opportunity at Wesley as I did.