After 32 years practising medicine in Ocean Grove, Dr Robert James will give his final consultation on 8 February.
Dr James will join his wife Jane Adcock, who was also a popular Grove GP, in retirement and plans to travel and play golf.
In fact they are off to Antarctica and South America later in February.
“Jane retired a year ago and we thought now was the time to do it while we’re still fit enough to travel and do a lot of the things we want to do,” he said.
“I’m probably going to join at Thirteenth Beach and play more frequently, do a bit more stand-up paddle boarding, play a bit of tennis and do a bit of cycling.
“That will fill in a few hours each day. There are lots of things we’re planning to do. There’s lots to keep us busy.”
Dr James said Ocean Grove Medical Centre was a four-person practice when he started in 1987.
“We had to cover Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove, there was after-hours service in those days and we had to do morning and afternoon shifts on the weekends and after hours call outs and there was no ambulance service,” he said.
“It’s changed a lot, but the basics of medicine haven’t. You still have to listen and be a person who can actually understand what the issue is. You still have to be able to care for them in a sympathetic way.”
Dr James said one of the most satisfying aspects of being a GP in Ocean Grove was seeing families grow before his eyes.
“You see different generations growing up which is always lovely,” he said.
“It’s nice working in a small town where you get to know a lot of the people and see their whole families grow up.
“I’ve really loved looking after them. It’s been a real privilege to care for them over a long period of time.”
Dr James and Dr Adcock certainly don’t plan on moving.
“The town has obviously grown enormously,” he said.
“It’s a lovely town to grow up in and have families in and it’s still got the same feel it had 30 years ago. Even though it’s gotten bigger it’s still got a lovely character. We’re certainly going to stay here.
“It’s sad in a way to have to say goodbye to a lot of the older patients that I’ve tended to look after. You see the highs in the family and the lows in the family as well.
“It’s been a real privilege.”
