Dr William Dickinson started in medical practice in Box Hill in 1883, just one year after the steam train came to the area. The idea that his practice would survive him for more than 125 years and would comprise 10 medical practitioners was probably inconceivable to him.
Dr Dickinson's practice was taken over by Dr Alfred Vaughn in 1888. Around this time doctors usually charged only those who could afford it; one guinea for home visits and ten shillings and sixpence for a surgery consultation. Dr Vaughn travelled between his various practices by pony or in a hansom cab. It is said that he carried his stethoscope and instruments in his hard bowler hat.
Dr Walter Craig joined Dr Vaughn in 1895 briefly and was renowned for buying Box Hill's first motor car. Dr Vaughn went on to serve the local community for 35 years.
Dr Craig died at the age of 81 in 1946 after working in Box Hill for 51 years.
Dr Henry Varley brought Dr Vaughn's practice in 1923. After one year he unfortunately died in a skiing accident at Mount Buffalo. His practice was bought by Dr James Shilliday. He became Box Hill's medical officer in 1929, a position he held until 1974.
Dr Noel Ramsey and Dr Stan Kay moved to the practice in 1951. Since that time Dr Ramsey has practiced in all areas of family health. He has been involved with the Box Hill Hospital as an ongoing member and past president of the board. He has been on just about every local community committee and has taught many young doctors during their general practice training. Dr Ramsey's long association with the Royal College of General Practitioners was recently honoured with his appointment to Provost of the Victorian Faculty and with the Queen awarding him the Medal of the Order of Australia.
Dr Ramsey and Dr Kay were joined shortly after by Dr John Hewitt. Dr Kay passed away a number of years ago however, Dr Hewitt retired from the practice after 50 years of devoted care to the community of Box Hill. Over these years, he was particularly dedicated to family care and many children have gone to head their own families under Dr Hewitt's gentle guidance.
Other doctors to spend periods of time in the practice have been Dr Keith Layton, Dr Joe Aarons and Dr Basil Nash. In the early eighties, Dr Tom Leung joined the practice. A consultant surgeon, he was also fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese and he retains a deep seated interest in the welfare of the Chinese community in Melbourne.
In the mid eighties Dr Ramsey, Dr Hewitt and Dr Leung were joined by Dr Mal Brkic, Dr Michael Burke and Dr Gabrielle Wiehle. Dr Hewitt passed away in 2002.
The current group of doctors includes Dr Conrad Chiu and his wife, Dr Theresa Chiu, and most recently Dr. Glen Davis and Dr. Geoff Gidley.
We were pleased to welcome Dr Peter Shaw,
specialist consultant physician in mid 2003,
Dr William Le in 2007 and Dr Jason Ong in 2008.