When I got on to the prestigious ENT surgery training program in Melbourne (only 10-15 applicants admitted every year in the whole of Australia), a retired elderly white male consultant who owns a football club asked me which school I went to. (ie, which PRIVATE school).

I didn’t realise the underlying premise of that question. I didn’t appreciate that Melbourne is quietly run by a network of people who are connected through a network of private schools, football clubs and political affiliations.

I foolishly answered,

I’m an immigrant, sir. I wasn’t born in Melbourne. English is my second language. I didn’t go to a private school. I came to Melbourne alone.

I think I nearly ended my career as an ENT surgeon then with that one look he gave me.