Encore: the life of Norman Swan

How a boy from Glasgow named Norman Swirsky grew up to become Australia's most famous doctorWhen Norman was 10 years old his dad decided to change the family's surname to Swan in a response to ongoing anti-Semitism in Scotland after WWII.

Norman wanted to be an actor growing up, but his parents encouraged him to study medicine.

After he completed his studies at the university of Aberdeen he spent time working in London before moving to Australia.

While on a break from medicine in 1982 he joined the ABC and began a stellar career.

Decades on, the advent of Covid-19 thrust Norman into the role of his life and he became Australia's most well-known doctor and a trusted voice in the long pandemic.

Sarah spoke to Norman in 2021 after the publication of his book So You Think You Know What's Good For You

This episode of Conversations was produced by Nicola Harrison, the Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney.