Olympic diver turns doctor

Jannette Parke | 11th May 2009

Craig Warhurst

OLYMPIC diver Robert Newbery's reverse three and a half somersault in tuck position was executed with a precision so accurate it scored perfect 10s.

It's his attention to detail that will probably make his future patients feel very reassured. Robert is in the final week of his rural rotation at the Gympie Hospital and he's thoroughly enjoyed the combination of hospital, general practice and community health care practices.

“I like Gympie, it's great - everyone in the hospital has been very supportive and given us that bit of extra time,” Robert said yesterday.

The hospital may be growing in response to the rapidly increasing population, but he says it still manages to retain a friendly country atmosphere, something that gets lost in the huge city hospitals.

“You really feel like you are part of the team,” he said.

Robert began diving in his neighbour's pool in Adelaide where his mum saw a natural ability.

His dad used to join in the fun and give a mark to their dives.

“And I also taught myself how to do somersaults on our backyard trampoline.”

By theage of 12, his career had started. He became one of Australia's most talented divers, winning a bronze medal at the Sydney Olympic Games and two bronze medals at the Athens Olympic Games.

He and his wife, Chantelle Newbery made history when they competed together against other countries - the first husband and wife combination ever selected to represent Australia. Robert considers the Chinese coaches employed at the end of the '80s and into the '90s as crucial to the subsequent success of Australia's diving teams.

“They introduced the correct techniques and they were strict,” he recalled. “It was about priorities - results first and fun second.”

Not a bad mantra for a doctor when you think about it.