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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-09-24 Daily Xml
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CROSBY, DR R.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (14:41): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations a question about a champion of local government, Dr Raymond Crosby.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Local government has always had the core function of providing services to local communities and has long relied on citizens taking a leadership role in their local areas. There are many local champions who have made significant contributions to their communities over the years, and one such person is Dr Raymond Crosby, who I understand will reach a significant anniversary this coming Saturday. Will the minister advise the council of the outstanding contribution to public health that Dr Crosby has made in his community?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (14:41): I do not often refer to individuals in this chamber but today I make an exception. It is my great privilege today to acknowledge a gentleman who will be celebrating his 100th birthday on 26 September this year: Dr Raymond Crosby of Fullarton. Mr President, I ask members of this council to acknowledge the presence of Dr Raymond Crosby, who with his family has joined us in the chamber today.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Reaching the milestone of 100 years is, indeed, a remarkable achievement, and it provides an opportunity to celebrate the life that Dr Crosby has lived as an active member of the community and acknowledge his many years of service for the considerable benefit of South Australia. I would like to focus on Dr Crosby's outstanding contribution to the administration of vaccination programs that were conducted monthly at local government immunisation clinics. This practice was the forerunner to how councils administer immunisation programs today.

In 1953, Dr Crosby was appointed to the position of medical officer of health by the former Enfield council and remained in its service for 45 years prior to his retirement in 1990. During his time as council's medical officer, Dr Crosby performed over 250,000 immunisations in his municipality, and even as a former nurse. That is a lot of injections. Armed with a syringe and a few kindly words and, I understand, a few jelly beans as well (no black ones included), often in a caravan parked in the grounds of the council's chambers, Dr Crosby continued his work immunising the community against polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, flu and hepatitis B. In the 1970s, a subsequent onset of polio brought residents to line up before Dr Crosby's clinic at council's hall, with many spilling out onto Hampstead Road.

Dr Crosby's time at the council provided many memorable experiences, one of which involved a local factory that was ravaged by a mystery illness, where he discovered lead poisoning in the workers who were exposed to salvaged old batteries. Dr Crosby continued to work as a general practitioner until the age of 92—it is unbelievable that he worked until that age—demonstrating his tireless efforts to be of service to the community. His pride in serving the people of Enfield has been constant and should serve as an inspiration to members in this place.

Through diligent work and application to the task at hand he has made a significant difference to his community. Such dedication is rare these days and we should celebrate it whenever we encounter it. His comments on his decades of service are quoted in the Enfield council's newsletter The Enfield:

My association with the City of Enfield has been a very happy one and I wish to place on record my appreciation of their valuable assistance to me over the years. I believe that our methods of operation at the monthly immunisation public clinic and at the yearly school clinics are models of efficiency, of which the City of Enfield should be proud.

The work of local government, as exemplified by Dr Crosby, is a proud achievement, and I congratulate him on developing and refining that system, a system which has meant countless cases of illness being prevented over many years and which no doubt still provides benefit to residents today.

Dr Crosby currently lives with his wife, Heather, at their home in Fullarton and is accompanied here today by his daughters, Elspeth and Joanna, and grandchildren, Amy and Sarah.

In my capacity as Minister for State/Local Government Relations I wish to acknowledge the achievement of Dr Crosby's 100th birthday on 26 September 2009. I—as, I am sure, do other members—wish to extend my congratulations and best wishes on his 100th birthday and acknowledge his outstanding contribution to local government.

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