One of Gloucester's long-serving - but now retired - doctors, Dr Garry Lyford has been honoured with a 2021 Rural Medical Service Award.
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Dr Lyford was among six general practitioners (GPs) to be recognised for their service at the opening night of the digital 2021 Rural GPs Conference held in November last year.
Each year the Rural Doctors Network (RDN) recognises rural GPs who have achieved 35 plus years of service to remote, rural and regional communities in NSW.
Dr Lyford retired from the Gloucester medical centre in December 2019, leaving behind a long list of adoring patients.
"It has been a great privilege to work as a GP in the small country town of Gloucester," Dr Lyford said as part of the award ceremony.
"A country doctor has a unique opportunity to observe, participate in and influence the lives of so many people. And so often we don't realise the special part we play in people's lives."
"Many times in my last weeks before retirement I heard patients say, 'you can't go - you're part of our family'."
On March 3, 1986, Garry and his wife, Julie, made the move from Muswellbrook to Gloucester where they stayed and raised their family, becoming an integral part of the community.
"There are many intimidating medical challenges when working remote from the city with diminished resources.
"The support of colleagues has been crucial, as has the educational support of RDN and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)," Dr Lyford said.
"Special thanks also to Doctors for the Environment who were so supportive of the work to safeguard our local environment.
"But most importantly thanks to my wife and family who have played such a significant role in supporting me and the town of Gloucester," he said.
In spite of the many challenges of recent years - drought, floods, bushfires, the COVID-19 pandemic - rural health professionals have continued to deliver high-quality health care to their communities
The 2021 awardees:
A/Prof Vince Roche - for service to the communities of Bundanoon, Moss Vale and Bowral
Dr Vicki McCartney - for service to the Shoalhaven region
Dr Judy Haines - for service to the community of Woolgoolga
Dr Jamie Starkey - for service to the Shoalhaven region
Dr Garry Lyford - for service to the community of Gloucester
Dr Stephen Morris - for service to the community of Parkes
Anne Keen
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
