Story By: Tyhla Roper

On 30 April, St Mary’s College Toowoomba welcomed Old Boy, Dr Ian Cheung for a question-and-answer session at a full school assembly.

Dr Ian Cheung was born in Hong Kong. He arrived at St Mary’s College at the start of Year 5. He knew very little English but carried with him a wonderful work ethic and a determination to succeed. He was Dux of Year 10 and then in Year 12 of St Mary’s College in 1993.

Dr Cheung obtained his undergraduate medical degree at The University of Queensland before completing a fellowship in orthopaedic surgery through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He then completed further training at the Singapore General Hospital, which is considered a regional centre for spinal surgery and spinal deformity surgery. Upon his return to Brisbane, Dr Cheung completed a second postgraduate fellowship in spinal surgery.

Dr Ian Cheung is an Orthopedic Surgeon who is interested in all areas of adult spinal conditions. His practice encompasses the management of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar conditions.

Last year, Dr Ian returned to the college where he attended the Old Boys’ Ball. Principal Brendan Stewart was amazed by how reverently all of his fellow brothers in the same year level spoke about him – some were in awe of him, and rightly so.

Dr Ian returned as part of the Men for Tomorrow series at the college. School leaders took great pleasure in asking him questions and learning more about his inspiring story.