The life and work of the late Dr Bob Anderson OAM, a much-loved rural practitioner and community figure for many decades, has been honoured through a Rotary Club of Narrabri project.
The club unveiled its Dr Bob Anderson reflection area on Sunday, fittingly located near his former Selina Street home.
Dr Anderson’s daughters Sally and Sue, and family members, took part in the opening ceremony and unveiled the commemorative plaque.
Speaking with The Courier, Sue Estens described the tribute to her late father as very special.
Sue and her sister were also pleased to be surrounded by family members for the important occasion.
“So many people introduced themselves to us with the connection they had to dad,” Sue said.
“Dad was a very special man. I said at his funeral, and again on Sunday, we very much shared him.”
Growing up in Narrabri, Sue and her sister remember their dad always springing into action whenever needed as well as his unwavering dedication and routine when it came to surgeries, spending time in his practice and making house calls.
“You never heard him grumble or complain when he was called back in to town,” Sue said.
“Medicine was his passion.”
Dr Anderson served as a rural medical practitioner in the district for almost 50 years. He was a visiting surgeon at the Narrabri District Hospital from 1958 to 1998 and the state government medical officer from 1997 to 2007.
Dr Anderson was also a Commonwealth medical officer from 1977 to 2007. He held numerous positions relating to his medical profession in the community, including with the Police Citizens Boys Club, Red Cross Blood Bank, Narrabri Tuberculosis Clinic, early immunisation clinics, Tibbereena Aboriginal Reserve and the Aged Care Assessment Team.
Dr Anderson was an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Narrabri from 1988 to 2007 and then a full member until his death in November 2015.
Dr Anderson’s dedication to the community and medical profession was honoured through a testimonial dinner hosted by the Narrabri District Hospital board in 1987, as Rotarian of the Year in 2003/04, a recipient of Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellowship in 2005 and he was ultimately awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2008.
Dr Anderson was known for his enduring affection of Narrabri, and with his wife and biggest supporter, Pam, cherished their many friendships in the community.
“They had a very strong friendship group,” Sue said.
In addition to his passion for medicine and the community, Dr Anderson also maintained an interest in learning and always kept his training and credentials up to date.
People visiting the reflection area can scan a QR code which will bring up information from The Courier celebrating Dr Anderson’s life and achievements.
“It’s such a lovely spot,” Sue said of the newly unveiled area.
“Dad was a quiet achiever and never asked for accolades.”
The family has paid special tribute to Rotary for honouring Dr Anderson’s legacy, mentioning the hard work by Rotarian Rob Walker across many years.
