Alumni Spotlight: Chongo Musonda

While sitting here thinking back, reflecting and reliving memories of what was my favourite high school memory, I find that it’s not just one singular memory that shines out but multiple experiences of just hanging out with my friends… 5 days a week!

Whether that be the eagerness and excitement of Year 7 camp where one of us (you know who you are) put a hole in the wall, the multiple carnivals, St Philips Day where we put aside academic stresses and just enjoyed each other’s company where we even spoke to peers in different year groups which you wouldn’t usually do so in a day, but that environment easily allowed it.

I definitely can’t forget the Inter-Priory wins and competitiveness I had being a Priory Captain as well. Saint Mary Priory – we had a Golden State Warriors type of run! It may have simply just been being in the back of the school bus with all your mates blasting prime Fetty Wap and Drake or whether it was a regular weekday or the last Friday of term heading to Macca’s Tuart Hill. My favourite memories of school all revolved around hanging out with my friends.

After high school, I went to Central Queensland University where I studied a Bachelor in Cardiac Physiology/Echocardiography and a Post Graduate Diploma in Echocardiography completing my study in 2023. Now I’ve been working full time for the last 2 years as a cardiac sonographer for Western Cardiology. I perform ultrasounds of people’s hearts to assess their structure and function assisting cardiologists in their treatment and management for their patients.

This occupation has given me the opportunity to work rurally, flying out to Kalgoorlie to do echoes there and in one of the multiple St John of God Hospital locations here also performing stress echoes. The thing I love the most about my job are the unique patient interactions I get to have with people who have lived full lives and who get to pass some advice/wisdom my way. It has it’s sad and challenging days but ultimately rewarding ones when you get to catch things early or find what’s causing your patients symptoms!

When I’m not on the ward, I still play basketball leisurely with the same group of guys from high school in a men’s league at Warwick stadium or I am saving up for my next holiday! I am very blessed to live the life I have, and I don’t take it for granted.

I can’t wait to see what else life has to offer.