Two Amazing Doctors

A friend introduced me to a recently published book entitled 'Two Enquiring Minds', written by the retired ex-Mareeba dentist, Geoff Grundy.  It tells the remarkable story of two exceptional Queensland doctors who had a profound impact on the development of the Tablelands, Dr L J Jarvis Nye and Dr Patrick (Pat) Flecker.  The folk of Cairns may have built a monument to the memory of Dr Koch but Atherton should have built one to Dr Jarvis Nye so great is the debt the town owes this man.  I was astonished to learn that not only did he help to raise the funds to build at Atherton one of the most modern public hospitals in country Queensland with the only x-ray equipment and pathology laboratory north of Townsville and was giving blood transfusions before Brisbane was, but that he also built and run his own private maternity hospital in Atherton which had some of the most modern techniques in the country.  The book also tells of his amazing work within the community where he was patron of nearly every sporting body in town and was the man who started the Atherton sub-branch of the R.S.L. and the local dramatic arts society.  Why doesn't every citizen of Atherton know of this incredible doctor!  The other story told in this book concerns Dr Pat Flecker who was the son of the famous Cairns doctor, Hugo Flecker.  Pat became the Resident Medical Officer at Mareeba just after the Second World War and the conditions he encountered while working in this district during the 1950's is a story that people of today should know.  He too became deeply involved in the local community through the Rotary Club of Mareeba and by helping to start off the Tinaroo Sailing Club.  The story of these men's medical careers make a fascinating read and Geoff has produced a book that I am sure would find a place on every local history buff's book shelf.