Dr John Taske is a doctor and a soldier.
John grew up in Brisbane and studied Medicine at Queensland University, gaining the degrees of M.B. B.S. in 1964. He was called up for National Service in the Infantry 1959 and continued to serve in the Citizens Military Forces (CMF) whilst completing his medical studies and internship.
In 1966, he resigned from his hospital position and volunteered for active service in Vietnam.
Following a year there, serving with Infantry and Artillery units, he volunteered for selection with the Special Air Service Regiment, where he then served for 3 years. A number of Military postings followed culminating in Joint Services Staff College in Canberra, followed by 4 years as Commander Field Force Medical Services in Sydney. He resigned from the Army to take up the position of Head of the Department of Anaesthesia at Princess Alexandra Hospital from 1981 – 1987and was a member of the Medical team that completed the first successful Liver Transplant in Australia in 1985. Since then, he has been in private specialist practice.
He began mountaineering in 1990 and in 1996 was invited to join the ill-fated Adventure Consultants Expedition to climb Mt Everest when, during their summit attempt on the 10th May, an epic storm struck the mountain causing 8 deaths and multiple frostbite injuries.
Military Career:
National Service: Infantry 1959.
Citizens Military Forces: 1959 – 1965.
Vietnam: 1966 -67.
Special Air Service Regiment: 1967 – 1971.
Sundry Military Postings: 1971 – 1976.
Joint Services Staff College: 1977.
Commander Field Force Medical Services 1978 – 1981.
Consultant Anaesthetist Australian Army: 1992 – 1997.
Honorary Colonel Royal Australian Army Medical Corps: 2003 – 2010.
Medical Degrees:
MB BS Qld 1964
DTM & H, FRCS FRCP (Lond) 1971
FFARACS 1979
FANZCA 1992