He was awarded the Deans Commendation AMA prize for the Best Student in Year 3 and the Peter Anderton Memorial Prize for the student during both Years 3 and 4 who has demonstrated compassion and related well to patients, demonstrated excellent clinical skills, performed well academically and exhibited all characteristics of an all-round good General Practitioner

Jake had several postings in the public health system, including Fiona Stanley hospital, Bunbury hospital and a short stint in hospitals in Tasmania and Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. He worked his way up to registrar and thrived on the challenges he faced in the care of others. His passion was cardiology, and he was due to take up a position at Geelong hospital when he returned to Australia. Sadly, this never happened, and the world has been robbed of a beautiful person and a dedicated and compassionate doctor.

Jake loved sport of all kinds. He was a cricket tragic. Played football for Subiaco Colts and loved to run and swim. He had the chance to represent Western Australia in cross country when he was at school. He played basketball, indoor soccer and netball with his friends, but his true passion was surfing, and he was good at it. It was no coincidence that most of his postings were near surf breaks that provided a much-needed circuit breaker from the long hours of patient care in hospitals. He thought nothing of driving for 3 hours and camping on a beach to be near a favorite break. The idyllic waves and crowd-free breaks of Indonesia also lured Jake, prompting him to make the journey many times with mates.

Jake had an amazing memory which allowed him to be successful in his academic pursuits. The notes he prepared for exams were called ‘Jakes Notes’ and became a standard for other students studying medicine. He gave willingly of his time, mentoring young, indigenous boys and helping them on the journey into mainstream employment.

Life doesn’t seem the same without your love, kindness, smile and infectious laugh. You touched so many lives and always made us proud - we miss you every moment of every day.