Tony Low was born in Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, on 27 June 1940. His father, David Irving Low, was a general practitioner. His mother was Dorothy Campbell née Byrns. He was educated at the Scots College, Sydney, and St Andrew's College, University of Sydney. He did junior posts at the Royal Princ

Linsell Donald Richards (Lin) was born in Levin, New Zealand, and after early education at Horowhenua College entered Otago University for his medical studies, qualifying in 1959. His first house appointments were at Cook and Wellington Hospitals and during this time he decided to specialize in otor