Local Doctor recognised with Health Excellence Award

Dr William Michael Dewing was recently awarded the WA Rural Health Excellence GP of the Year Award.

The awards were hosted by Rural Health West and WA Country Health Service on Saturday 11th March. The annual WA Rural Health Excellence Awards recognise and acknowledge the vital role health professionals play in WA rural communities.

More than thirty health professionals and health teams were recognised for their incredible achievements and contributions.

Mick Dewing was given the award for his service to the Bridgetown and Blackwood region as a general practitioner (GP) and obstetrician for the past 45 years. Only recently has he stepped down from the roster for after-hours emergency hospital cover and has only recently retired from obstetrics.

Michael and Jenny Dewing moved to Bridgetown with a six-month-old baby in 1978 to start a new life. Mick reflects on how it all came about, “Why we choose Bridgetown was quite serendipitous. While I was working at Princess Margaret Childrens Hospital I started treating a young girl from Bridgetown who had a referral letter from her doctor, a Nigel Jones.

“The letter’s professionalism and caring manner caught my attention, so I noted the address and later that day I wrote to Nigel asking about a position in Bridgetown. I got a reply the next day, as he was keen for me to join him in Bridgetown.

“Even though it sounds like I acted on a whim, Jenny and I had for a long while been coming to the south west on weekends for bush walks, canoeing and camping, and we both had a desire to live in a rural community.

“Jenny and I, with our four children have all thrived living in the south west.

“The community is friendly and welcoming. The aesthetic of Bridgetown is wonderful, and as it turned out, it was the right place for my career.

“From those humble beginnings the Bridgetown Medical Group developed and now has three partners and eight doctors working in practice.

“While some towns are struggling to attract a doctor, we have endeavoured to make our practice a place in which doctors like to work; it’s an accomplishment of which I am proud.”

Mick is also a passionate community advocate; he has served a couple of terms as a Shire Councillor, and he was an inaugural member of the Geegeelup Village Aged Care committee and has been its chairman for 40 years.

“When I was on the Council the main bone of contention then was the Bridgetown ‘Bypass’. I am still glad the bypass was never built as the highway running through our town makes Bridgetown a destination.

“Being on the Board of Geegeelup Village has meant I have worked with a lot of terrific community members. Aged care has changed enormously over that time providing huge challenges, but equally great rewards.”

Mick has been an enthusiastic teacher of medical students throughout his career, including through the newly established Rural Clinical School in Bridgetown.

His active lifestyle also continues; Mick competes each year in the Blackwood Marathon Relay as a canoeist.

He also participates in, and was on the inaugural organising committee to establish, the Tour of the Blackwood cycling event and completed the 63km ride this year.

“One of the most endearing aspects of the award has been the response to the award from my grandchildren, Mick thoughtfully explains, “They asked me ‘Because you have now become famous, does this award make all us Dewing’s famous as well?’”