Abstract
Bert was born in Temora, NSW and brought up at Lake Cargelligo. It was there that he learned one of his many skills, that of baking, whilst helping in his father's bakery. His secondary schooling was at Wolarai College, a Methodist boarding school at Orangui in central NSW where he became head prefect and dux of the school. He matriculated for Medicine at Sydney University and graduated in 1939. He was appointed to Sydney Hospital as a junior then senior resident medical officer. He then enlisted as a medical officer in the RAAF, becoming a Squadron Leader and serving in Darwin, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands in World War II.
Though he intended following a surgical career path, he developed a keen interest in psychological medicine during his time of service with the RAAF during the war. Following his discharge in 1946, he was appointed as a resident medical officer at Parramatta Mental Hospital. In 1949 he became Acting Deputy Medical Superintendent at Kenmore Mental Hospital, Goulbum. From 1950 to 1953 he was Deputy Medical Superintendent at Broughton Hall Psychiatric Clinic Leichhardt, then at Gladesville Mental Hospital, 1953–1954. From 1954 to 1955 he was Medical Superintendent of Watt Street Mental Hospital, Newcastle, after which he was appointed as Medical Superintendent of Broughton Hall Psychiatric Clinic — a post he held until his retirement in 1972. This was the position for which he became best known for his administrative arid teaching skills with medical and nursing students at both undergraduate and psychiatric postgraduate levels. In addition he was a part-time lecturer in psychiatry at Sydney University (1959–1971) an Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist at the Northcott Neurological Centre; Treasurer, Secretary and President in turn of the Section of Neurology and Psychiatry of the NSW branch of the BMA; and a Foundation Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (founded in 1964) as well as Chairman of the NSW branch of the College.
He was active in the Public Medical Officers’ Association of NSW being, in turn, a member of the committee, Secretary and President. He was also a member of the Council of the NSW Association of Mental Health. After his retirement, Bert gave further of his wisdom and experience as a Court Visitor of the Supreme Court of NSW (1973 to 1976).
In 1938 he married Florence Benfield, a nurse at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Camperdown, whom we all came to know as ‘Benny’. Together they had two sons, James and John, both of whom became commercial pilots. Bert was deeply affected when Bennie died in December 2002. His own health deteriorated soon after and he died in March 2003, aged 91.
Bert had a warm, outgoing, friendly and supportive personality and he loved socialising. At deeper levels he was sensitive and understanding, a true friend and, I believe, one of Australia's great psychiatrists.