The adventures of an alienist

Private Practice, Sydney, NSW. John H T Ellard MB BS, MRACP, DipPsyMed, FRACP, FRANZCP, FRCPsych, MAPsS, Psychiatrist Correspondence: Dr John H T Ellard, Private Practice, 29A Almora Street, Sydney, NSW 2088. The Medical Journal of Australia ISSN: 0025-729X 4/ 18 December 2006 185 11/12 642-645 © The M ed ica l Jou rna l o f Aus t ra l ia 2006 www.mja.com.au Power of One in psychology. All went well until my second year — in 1942. B then, the Second World War had become pressing, and I found myself being interviewed by an army recruitment officer. He told me that, with my university background, if I were to join th infantry I might be rapidly promoted. The alternative was rada and coastal artillery. Radar sounded more interesting, and turned ha for my I ve had a long and interesting life. I have been doubly tunate in that most of the rewarding activities came into life not through my own endeavours but by being presented to me, often quite unexpectedly. My first choice of a career came from seeking vocational guidance while in secondary school. I was advised to become a psychologist. Having no other aspirations, I set off in that direction and, in due course, gained admission to the Faculty of Arts at the University of Sydney, hoping to gain an honours degree y