Robert Carroll Major
1938-2023
LONG-time Swan Hill GP Dr Carroll Major has been remembered for his lasting legacy in the welfare of local people.
Dr Major died on February 16, the day after his 85th birthday.
One of the last of the “old-time physicians”, Dr Major still made home visits until his retirement, marking over 40 years of dedicated, caring and compassionate service to the Swan Hill community.
Widow Christine Major and “treasured” friend Bryan MacKenzie said he would be especially remembered for his involvement and strong leadership in many local organisations.
“Apart from his professional life involving high standards, well researched study and hands-on practice delivering the finest medical care for his Mallee and local patients, Dr Major demonstrated a wider influence in sport and cultural activities,” Mr MacKenzie said.
“His purchase of an exceptional race horse, called Fascinating Rhythm, and exposure to the sport of kings led to the formation of The Think Big Club in 1976.”
Dr Major was the inaugural president and continued until 1983.
“Carroll’s input and chairmanship of the Swan Hill Club was instrumental in assuring the continuation of the club,” Mr MacKenzie said.
Dr Major’s lasting legacy, however, will be the welfare of his many grateful patients.
“Dr Major was a committed and excellent doctor. He worked hard and played hard,” Mr MacKenzie said.
“When he was off duty it was always ‘a good night for a party’. But when he was working, he was the best.
“He had graduated in 1963, done his residency year at the Footscray General Hospital, as it was then, when seatbelts were not compulsory and alcohol and speed limits not strictly enforced.
“On the busy Geelong road and surrounded by industry, the accidents in casualty were often horrific and you had to think and act quickly to save lives.
“A great grounding for his years in Swan Hill.”
Mr MacKenzie recalled that after an intention to go on to study paediatrics, the Swan Hill job that started as a stopgap to make some quick money and support his mother and family became a lifetime’s work.
“He realised that general practice was what he wanted to do.”
The medical group in 1964 comprised six doctors of various ages and nationalities, including Hugh Melville, Hamish Maclachlan, Geoff Briggs and John Skelley, and general surgeon Hayden Martin.
Most of the partners were competent anaesthetists and performed their own obstetrics.
Mr MacKenzie said being such a distance from a large centre meant doctors had to be able to manage most tasks.
“Carroll was instrumental in bringing specialists up from Melbourne to consult patients in Swan Hill,” he said.
“This eventually led to the Swan Hill hospital hosting first-year residents from St Vincent’s Hospital and a number of their top specialists visiting.
“A bit of country hospitality with some wining and dining forged many long-lasting friendships and gave great service to the local community.
“After some of the older doctors retired, Carroll really became the new role model, a catalyst and teacher.
“Not many young doctors are up for that now.”
Dr Major was also an early promoter of the Rural Doctors Association and received an award from the Rural Workforce Agency in 2005.
“He was not a committed committeeman and preferred creating ideas, getting the ball rolling and leaving the running to others,” Mr MacKenzie said.
“The inexorable advance of computers was not embraced by Carroll and it was this that eventually nudged him towards retirement.
“It just didn’t seem like good medicine to be looking at a screen while the patient in front of you demanded your full attention.
“He remained an astute diagnostician, had a special interest in paediatrics, plastic surgery and could sew a very fine seam, and then in cancer treatment, including the use of meditation, following two brushes with cancer himself.
“He took a particular interest in his Indigenous patients and their health issues.”
He remained in Swan Hill for 41 years, retiring at the end of 2006.
The following year he was awarded a life governorship by Swan Hill District Health.
Dr Major was buried at the Flinders cemetery on the Mornington Peninsula last week.
He is survived by Christine, children Kirsty, Phillipa and Gwilym, and eight grandchildren.
