Dad moved from his farm into Palmerston, a Canberra suburb in 2003 where he established a large vegetable garden, worked vigorously as a volunteer for Greening Australia, propagating and planting thousands of trees and became involved in other community activities. He retired at 80 from his part time GP work, I think it was quite a difficult time letting go of his identity as a medical practitioner. He started experiencing some personal health issues and at age 87, moved to independent living at a retirement village in Belconnen, ACT.

With further deterioration of his health he moved into residential care at the age of nearly 93. There he was actively involved in all the activities, retained his incredible sense of humour despite many of the trials of ageing, was fiercely independent, flirted with all the ladies and was highly regarded and liked by the staff and residents alike.

This winter was a very harsh one for him. He had bronchitis, 2 TIA’s, 10 falls and then contracted Influenza A. He survived all of this with my daily visits and supervision along with my sister Rosemary and her daughter Gwyneth. He seemed to be gradually adjusting to his new level of activities however he was experiencing dysphagia since the TIA’s and suddenly became very ill with what was assumed to be aspiration pneumonia. I stayed with him day and night and he slipped quietly away 2 days later. He was 95 years old.

Dad lived a full, active and hugely valuable life. Over 150 people attended his funeral at the National Arboretum where, as a family, we tried to cover all the aspects of his full and varied life in his funeral service. He was privately cremated. I was privileged to have worked for him as his secretary for many years before and after mum died and saw first-hand what a dedicated and professional man he was. His patients always came first and he was highly regarded by his medical and nursing colleagues.

Dad prepared the below letter many years ago with the request that I forward it to you upon his death. – Carol Haslam

“Zamenhof” Poll Limousin
Cattle stud.
Yass River RD Yass
2582

The Honorary Secretary
Royal Australian College of Physicians
Sydney

Dear Doctor,

My daughter, Carol, will forward this in the event of my untimely death.

I wish to express my sincere appreciation to you and your committee for including me with notices of College activities and with the receipt of the journal.

A brief CV would include:

• Born Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) 7.6.24
• Education in Ceylon, England + Guildford Grammar WA
• 1943 to 1945 RAAF Air Crew
• Grad. MBBS Melb 1950
• Resident years at the Alfred, Children's + Women's Hospitals
• GP 1953 to 1960 in Bendigo Vic.
• Further 2 years as Registrar (Alfred Hospital + Children's Hospital)
• MRACP 62, FRACP 72
• Worked as a Paediatric Physician in Canberra 63 - 89

Married Pam, died 1977. 5 children. Now working part-time in General Practice (sic) to support 150 hungry cattle.

With best wishes for the continuing success of the RACP.

Sincerely
Jack Walters