Walter Calov was born in Sydney in 1895. His family was then living in Yarramalong. Walter seldom talked about the past but he had a real sense of the continuity of life. The name Calov is believed to be Russian in origin, however the family lived in Lubeck in West Germany for many generations. It has been traced back to the Reformation, in which Walter's ancestors apparently played an important role in the support of Martin Luther. Before this, a certain Calovius was Secretary to one of the Orders of Knights. Walter's great grandfather was a Rector of an infirmary house in Lubeck, his grandfather was a doctor, his father was a school teacher, and thus he had a background of stable continuity of family life, of service to the community and to the Protestant Church.
This background helps us to understand Walter's emotional stability. One would sum up his outstanding qualities as sanity and serenity. He was secure in his ego, he had no need for arrogance or aggression, no desire to impose his will on others. He detested humbug; material success was in correct perspective, it was the tool of life, not its aim. His own life was of achievement to the best of his abilities. He was warm and loving with his family, he had a myriad acquaintances and a few friends whom he cherished.
Walter won bursary to Sydney Grammar School, then an exhibition to the University of Sydney to study medicine. He did most of his training at Sydney Hospital. In those days students were given 'perpetual tickets to the practice of the hospital'. Pup's ticket was dated 29.3.1937, and he was the 201st student to attend the hospital. He did a year of residency at Toowoomba, then two years of general practice at Woodstock. He had always wanted to see military service and in 1919 or thereabouts, he joined the Australian Expedition Force which was to take over German New Guinea, and he stayed on for some years afterwards. He went on many expeditions to the islands and to the interior and developed a great understanding of tropical disease which he retained all his life. One can imagine the fascination of this pioneering life for a young doctor and how well it suited Walter.
After his return to Sydney, he obtained an appointment as assistant physician at Sydney Hospital and he was a foundation member of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. He developed the Pulmonary Clinic at Sydney Hospital, essentially a tuberculosis clinic and he was Honorary Medical Officer to the Anti-Tuberculosis Association. He was an Honorary Physician at South Sydney Hospital and had a close association with the War Memorial Hospital at Waverly. He was physician to the Australian Board of Missions and Patron of the Fairbridge Home Farms. He was medical staff representative on the Board of Directors at Sydney Hospital and was Director of the Australian Medical Publishing Company for many years.
He played his part in the administrative, political and social responsibilities of his profession. He was deeply involved in the Sydney Hospitallers which rewarded him by making him their patron. Interestingly, amongst his memoirs, he kept one issue only of the 'Sydney Hospitallers Broadsheet'. Dated 24.7.37, it states that the object of the Hospitallers was 'the promotion and furthering of that spirit of camaradery that has been the governing spirit of past and present residents of Sydney Hospital'. No one appreciated this spirit more than Walter. He liked young people and they liked him. He loved teaching and some of his pupils became lifelong friends.
Late in his life, with the help of his wife Gwen, he developed an apple orchard in the bush at Bilpin but unfortunately the crop was ruined by hail. He was an excellent sportsman, excelling in cricket which he played regularly until the age of 60. He was also a good hockey player and was vice patron of the metropolitan association. He was 60 odd when he took up golf and he soon mastered it. He took up bowls at the age of 89 and a year later won the Novice Championship of his club. Thus, Walter was the exemplar of the all-round man of the Reformation. He excelled in everything he did, he was physician, farmer, sportsman, writer and citizen. He was a beloved husband and father. He was a warm and responsive friend to many. He was a man for all people and for all seasons.