When checking his emails, he suspected it might have been a scam, until a Google search confirmed the phone number belonged to the Governor General’s office.
“I said ‘why would they give me one? I’m just doing my job,” Dr Tam said.
Dr Tam has been awarded the AM for his significant service to paediatric medicine and rural health.
He’s been a Paediatrics Clinical Director and a Senior Consultant Paediatrician at Goulburn Valley Health since 2020 and 2017 respectively.
Before moving to Shepparton about nine years ago, he spent nearly 20 years at Latrobe Regional Hospital in Traralgon as the Clinical Lead for Paediatrics, also contributing to the Victorian Government's Paediatric Services Review.
Initially unsure of his speciality when his career began 40 years ago, Dr Tam got into paediatrics by chance.
“I got a job at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children ... which was a major teaching hospital,” he said.
“I went there and I was inspired by the consultants there, they were excellent doctors ... and good role models for me.”
He also said his patients had something to do with keeping him in the field for so long.
“I enjoy looking after children and babies,” Dr Tam said.
“They’re cute ... they are honest, genuine, and just speak their mind.
“It’s a rewarding experience to see them grow up and be healthy.”
Alongside hospital work, Dr Tam has shaped the next generation of doctors as an Associate Professor and Director at the Monash University School of Rural Health.
He hasn’t thought about leaving regional Victoria, with the fresh air and friendly faces keeping him put.
“When I finished training as a paediatrician, I think at the time it was very popular to go bush,” Dr Tam said.
“You can do a lot of hands on work that you won’t be able to do as a general paediatrician in the major capital cities.
“I enjoy the work, and I enjoy the regional city lifestyle ... fresh air and no traffic jams.”
His influence extends to national standards, serving as a Senior Examiner for the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
Dr Tam also chaired the Clinical Reference Group for the Hazelwood Health Study following the 2014 mine fire.
He believes the blend of his clinical, administrative, and academic work complement each other, and might’ve led to his AM nomination.
While he celebrates the recognition, Dr Tam said regional health was very under resourced and understaffed compared to its city counterparts.
He hopes his award might inspire medical professionals to make the move.
“You can do some meaningful work, and it is recognised,” he said.
“The Health Department’s objective is for patients to be treated closer to home ... we need support and resources to achieve that.”
Dr Tam said he wanted to thank his wife, for supporting him working long hours, as well as his colleagues.
“I can't do it all by myself, it's teamwork,” he said.
“I've been lucky to have had the opportunity to do the things that I enjoy.”
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