DR GRAHAM Toohill has hung up his surgical mask and boots after 31 years and thousands of successful procedures at Gippsland Southern Health Services’ Leongatha Memorial Hospital.
While the community is thankful for his care and service, Dr Toohill is thankful for the opportunity.
“I’ve had an amazing career, and I thank God for such a wonderful opportunity to be able to help a lot of people over a very long time,” he said.
“I had my last operating day this week and after I’d completed my five cases, they gave me a lovely send-off lunch, cake and a Citizen watch. I felt very much appreciated by the theatre team.”
He will continue at the Leongatha Healthcare clinic until the end of the year and, after some locum work early in the new year, will be retiring at age 74.
“I’ve got lots of children and grandchildren spread around the country to visit and jobs I want to do at home, so there will be plenty for me to do,” he said.
Dr Toohill completed his training and started his medical career in Melbourne before taking a far-flung placement in Nepal.
“When I was a medical student, I went to Nepal for a six-week medical elective and worked with some amazing and inspiring people, Christian medical missionaries doing a lot with very little in a
poverty-stricken place. They inspired me to follow their contribution,” he said.
Upon returning to Australia, he opted for a country practice.
“When it was time to come home from Nepal, my good friends Hugh and Lesley Chisholm were working here in Leongatha and they invited me to join them, and I’ve been happy to work with them over all those years,” he said.
His work as a GP surgeon has always been interesting and varied.
“It has changed over the years,” Dr Toohill said.
“Hugh and I did obstetrics for more than 25 years, which meant we were on call day and night. I was on call for the Urgent Care Centre for many years until COVID hit, and I used to admit my patients and look after them.
“I still come up from time to time to look after patients.”
As a GP surgeon, Dr Toohill said his speciality was very broad.
“In the beginning, I did a lot of tonsillectomies, appendicectomies and vasectomies, but more recently it has been carpel tunnel releases, vasectomies, skin lesions and in-grown toenails,” he said.
Dr Toohill is leaving with fond memories of the work and the people.
“I’ve enjoyed my time at the hospital enormously. It has been a very satisfying and rewarding career in country practice. I’m happy to work anywhere but this has been a wonderful spot for me,” he said.
