Dr Fred Better AM

dr fred better am

Dr Fred Better is remembered by Peter Brukner (FACSEP):

Fred Better OAM was born in Krakow, Poland and studied medicine in Vienna. He was an elite athlete whose career was interrupted by World War 2. 

After the war Fred emigrated to Australia. For a number of years Fred’s medical degree was not recognised and he worked  as a “remedial gymnast” with amputee patients.

Finally, he was allowed to practise medicine and established a general practice in Brighton, Victoria. Fred was involved with ASMF right from its beginnings and played a key role in the development of sports medicine in Australia. He served as President and Secretary of ASMF and was instrumental in establishing the RACGP/ASMF course in sports medicine in 1983 which was the starting point for future Victorian sports physicians Brukner, Larkins, Zimmerman, James etc.

Fred played a key role initially in the establishment of the ASMF City Baths Clinic in Melbourne, and subsequently in its move to Olympic Park where he practised for over a decade seeing patients every Friday afternoon and contributing to the weekly Friday lunchtime clinical meetings. 

Despite never having attempted a multi choice exam, Fred enrolled in the inaugural ACSP Fellowship exam and passed, joining the initial cohort of Fellows in 1991. He was an active Fellow attending annual conferences and dinners.

Fred’s contribution to sports medicine was recognised with the award of an OAM in 1985. The annual FC Better lecture at Olympic Park Sports Medicine centre has been presented by the most prominent sports medicine clinicians and scientists in Australia, and for a number of years Fred could be found in the front row.

Fred had a wonderful sense of humour and was a mentor for many of the next generation of Melbourne sports physicians. He passed away in 2002. 

No-one made a greater contribution to sports medicine in this country.