Norman Laidman Dodd was born on 29 November, 1902 at Kew, Victoria, the fourth and youngest child of Henry and Rose Dodd. He was educated at University High School and Wesley College. He played an active part in school life, being a prefect, captain of cricket (with the best bowling average in the Public Schools competition) and was a member of the 1st XVIII football team. He also won the Alexander Wawn scholarship, which is awarded for character, scholastic and sporting achievements.

He graduated MB BS from the University of Melbourne in 1927 and was a resident medical officer at the Melbourne, Children's, Women’s and Eye and Ear Hospitals. In 1931 he gained his MD, in 1938 MRACP and in 1939, when in London, DRCOG. In 1933 he married Eleanor Liley. They had two daughters, Eleanor (Russell) and Prudence (Jackson).

While at University he joined Melbourne University Rifles, and later the Citizen Military Forces. At the outbreak of war he was posted to Balcombe Camp, but to his regret a medical board decided, in 1941, that he was unfit for military service.

Several stages in his life were interrupted by illness. It forced him to miss a year of his medical course, and during the later years of his life he was plagued by complications from a peptic ulcer which finally led to his death on 22 June 1961, when only fifty-eight years of age.

He decided on general practice, and found it a full, satisfying and rewarding way of life. Norman Dodd was a pioneer in the formation of group practices. Having worked in Footscray, Victoria, for a while, he joined Dr George Guthridge to form a group known as The Clinic. A building was erected at 28-32 Paisley Street, Footscray, with provision for x-ray, pathology and physiotherapy services. The number of partners increased to ten, and there were visiting specialists. Some well known Melbourne physicians and surgeons spent time working at The Clinic early in their careers. The original building has been demolished to make way for a ring road, but The Clinic continues at 91 Paisley Street.

Though busy with his practice, Norman followed the best traditions of our profession and rendered other public service. He was an honorary medical officer at the Eleanor Street Clinic, which gave way to the Footscray and District Hospital (now Western General Hospital). In 1953 he was appointed an honorary physician at the hospital. He was at one time president of the Western sub-division of the Victorian branch of the BMA, and also served on the branch council. He gave numerous courses of lectures for St John Ambulance first aid classes, and at other times acted as an examiner. He was a foundation member of the Footscray Rotary Club.

In addition to his interest in cricket, which he maintained all his life, he was fond of horse racing and was a member of three metropolitan racing clubs. He spent many happy hours at meetings, and equally happy times telling of his modest wins.

What impressions of Norman Dodd remain? A tall, imposing, friendly man, devoted to his family, anxious to help colleagues, a wide circle of friends (many of them patients), well known and respected in the area where he worked. Many past and present partners owed him a debt for starting and helping them in their careers.