Plaques suggested on fences of homes to note historic interest

PHILIP Bunn was born in St Kilda. When a young boy his parents moved to Minyip in the Wimmera which gave him a strong desire to live in country areas. He shifted to Beechworth with his wife Linda in 2008 when he retired. What was your job? Nine years of medical training equipped me for working in rural general practice. In 1967, disillusioned by city life, I bought an old Land Rover and spent two years doing locums up the east coast of Australia including a three-month stint with the Royal Flying Doctor Service. On returning, I practised in Mt Beauty and then in the Eildon/Alexandra district, living in an old farmhouse nestled below the Cathedral Mountain at Taggerty. What brought you to this role? In my youth I was optimistically altruistic. Underlying this was a real desire to practice complete family medicine extending from childbirth through to care of the dying, and everything in between. I recently addressed a medical reunion in the form of a poem which read, in part: In the span of our lifetime there has been constant change. New technology advancing; brilliant and strange. Cold, calculating science requires the art to declare Kind words, gentle hands will show that we care. The practice of medicine, so often demanding Of time, compassion, empathy, understanding. Though rare is the patient who could comprehend Behind us, supporting us, a colleague, a family, a friend. I have walked in the path of joy and of grief. Been witness to courage beyond my belief. But hope, on reflection, of all the years past That I've found satisfaction and contentment at last. What did you love about your profession? The opportunity to practice medicine to the full extent of my ability. Unfortunately, procedural practitioners today are becoming a rarity and referral for all but the most minor procedures, is common. This can lead to great inconvenience, isolation and costs for patients. Hopefully, tele-consultations will compensate to a certain extent. What do you do in the community? I enjoy U3A, producing videos, riding my (electric) bike and more recently partaking in the WinterWords Festival. I recently produced a book of my poems primarily to give to my grandchildren. I now live a life no longer constrained by the constant demands of medical practice. What’s the most important current community issue for you? Beechworth, along with most other rural communities, is continually challenged to remain viable. Tourism in all its forms is a way in which this can be achieved but tourism cannot be allowed to destroy the very attractions that appeal to tourists and locals alike. This is a township of remarkable vitality and every encouragement must be given to all its citizens to realise their aspirations. What would you do to solve, change or improve that situation? On the front fences of houses in North Adelaide beautiful enamelled plaques note the historic interest of the building and their surrounds. I would like to see a similar endeavour in Beechworth - similar to our ' tree-walks '. What’s the most important current world issue for you? Dealing with the ever-increasing menace of climate change. The truth is, this earth will never sustain unending demand and ceaseless attack so finally all that will ever remain. A lifeless sphere, cinders of black. If the person you would most like to meet came to Indigo, or was already here, who would that be and what would you show them? I would like to meet John Morphy, a Gold Commissioner in Beechworth in the 1860s. He bought some of the first gazetted land in Beechworth and then built the house we are now privileged to live in. Why would you show him that? I think John would be most interested to see Beechworth's efforts to preserve its past. We all need to be aware of the contributions of each generation. What book are you reading? I have just finished reading 'The Sympathiser' by Viet Thanh Nguyen, a fictional story with an authentic background relating to the fall of Saigon. Currently I am reading ' Secrets of the Jury Room ' by Malcolm Knox a non-fiction book demystifying the functions of Australian juries.

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