Paul Hutchins - The child is father of the man

Dr Paul Hutchins, Honorary Senior Paediatric Consultant, CHERI

Dr Hutchins is also Staff Specialist of the Child Development Unit, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. At the end of his training in the United Kingdom he established an exchange with The Children’s Hospital, and returned in 1982 to work in the Child Development Unit. He worked for several years in child protection, in newborn follow up and head injury, as a paediatrician to a special school for physical disability and coordinates a program for children receiving ventilator support at home.

He represented The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in the advocacy and collaboration which established CHERI and, as part of the Children’s Assessment Centre, in the move to the new hospital, promoted its concepts, activities and resources. He participates in the activities of CHERI as part of his vigorous collaboration with educators, parents and health professionals in patient management and teaching.

Vote of Thanks from Rotarian Alan Porter

“Well, how do you follow that?!” was Alan’s opening comment.  The Club had just received a fascinating address from Paul Hutchins who was visiting UK from his adopted home in Australia and talking on his speciality of education of the young for those who, as he said. “are those children who other people can’t work out”.

Alan commented that having “googled” Paul and discovered that his photo featured on the website for his Hospital along with some 6 other senior colleagues, all of whom were female, young and attractive, it was to be supposed that there was very little chance that Paul would be tempted to remain in UK despite the demand for his skills!  From his address, it was obvious that Paul was not only an expert within his subject but was also passionate in his efforts to understand and improve life chances for his young patients. 

Paul’s tales ranged from how, following careful and sensitive mentoring, a certain hugely underprivileged and educationally challenged orphan named Jack was now on the pathway to become an opera singer (now partly supported by the local Rotary Club) through to another privileged but educationally challenged youngster called Winston.  This lad greatly benefitted from someone spotting his weakness at English Language and offering help – obviously with some success as that youngster’s surname was Churchill!  

Alan felt that we could all agree the general point that the children of today are leaders of tomorrow and that education today is the foundation of society tomorrow.  Paul’s work with underprivileged and “difficult” youngsters to help them realise their full potential was indeed an inspiring example.

In conclusion, Alan suggested that it was always a joy to hear an entertaining and informed speaker and certainly one who was passionate and enthusiastic.  In all respects Paul’s energy and excitement had succeeded in making what might have been a “dry” topic into one of huge interest as was demonstrated by the questions generated.  Alan’s invitation to Club members to thanks Paul with a round of applause was well supported.