Reginald Orcheston Mills was born in Newcastle on 2 December 1897. He was educated at Sydney Church of England Grammar School (Shore) for two years then went to Melbourne Grammar School. He did two years of the medical course at the University of Melbourne and then joined the AIF serving abroad as a pilot in the AFC. On return to Australia he completed his medical course and graduated MB BS in 1924.

He was a resident medical officer from 1924 to 1925 at the Alfred Hospital, and then a registrar from 1925 to 1926. He married his wife Dawn in 1926, went into general practice at Tatura, Victoria for four years and then moved to Shepparton, where he was in active practice for over forty years. From 1927 to 1959 he was an honorary physician to Mooroopna and District Base Hospital and a consultant physician from 1959 until he died. As well as his honorary appointment and medical practice he still found time to study for his MRACP, obtaining this in 1940. During World War II he was a captain with the AAMC.

Among Reg Mills’s interests were his devotion and loyalty to his church and his great love of music. He was inaugural president of the Shepparton Musical Advancement Society and held that position for twenty-three years. He was responsible for bringing many internationally famous musicians, concert artists and orchestras to the city of Shepparton. The music shell in the Queen’s Gardens and the Steinway grand piano in the Civic Centre honour his memory. The Rotary Club of Shepparton honoured him in 1970 with the Citizen of the Year award.

He was the senior partner of Dr Alex Taylor for many years; he was recognised as a wonderful man to work with and one with sound medical judgement. His opinion was widely sought after by his colleagues in this district and his patients adored him. Reg Mills died suddenly on 18 January 1974, and was survived by his wife, Dawn, son Graeme and daughter Janice.