DOCTOR David Harvey Sutton moved to Cloncurry with his wife Judith to become the town’s medical superintendent in 1949.
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Past and present medical staff attended the Cloncurry Community Precinct in the Doctor’s honour last Saturday, sharing stories of his passion, love of art, his “heavy foot” on the car accelerator, and his keenness for giving needles to patients in the 50 years he called the town home.
He ran a surgery until shortly before his death at 81, in 1999.
His children based in Geraldton, WA, and Townsville travelled to Cloncurry to be at the reunion, and so did his Sydney based brother Alistair.
The Doctor’s oldest son Peter Harvey Sutton made a speech in the town’s art gallery named after his father on behalf of the family.
“Because he was a doctor, dad believed very much in helping other people – this would be his mantra all his life,” Mr Harvey Sutton said.
“Dad believed in the equality of all people. He said that some people struggled because of circumstances in their lives but they were still good people.”
Dr Harvey Sutton found his purpose in Cloncurry and fulfilled it through the support and love of Judith, their son said.
Pauline Woodhouse, who was delivered by Doctor Sutton, remembered when her dog needed stitches.
There was no veterinarian clinic so her family took the dog to the doctor’s surgery.
He sutured the family pet and charged it to Medicare.
“He was very community orientated,” Ms Woodhouse said.
Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter said there were many similarities between Dr Harvey Sutton and legendary Royal Flying Doctor Service founder John Flynn.
“Flynn brought the mantle of safety to us and Sutton brought the mantle of health services to the towns and outback services,” Mr Katter said.
Dr Harvey Sutton used an aeroplane to travel to remote Queensland communities that otherwise would not have seen visiting doctors.
He also raised money for an elderly home in Cloncurry but was denied a place on the committee.
“He did not hold it against them,” Mr Katter said.