Historical information

Paul Howard McGillivray (1834 - 1895) : In 1862, Paul Howard MacGillivray was appointed resident surgeon at Bendigo Hospital, succeeding Dr. Atkinson, a position he held until 1873.[ During this tenure, he managed patient care amid the rapid population growth and health challenges of the Victorian goldfields, where mining accidents, infectious diseases, and injuries were prevalent. His role involved overseeing surgical operations and general medical services for a burgeoning community, contributing to the hospital's development as a key institution in regional healthcare. MacGillivray's surgical expertise was particularly evident in his focus on hydatid cysts, a common affliction in colonial Australia due to environmental factors. He authored three papers on the subject between 1865 and 1872, published in medical journals, which detailed innovative management techniques including excision methods and post-operative outcomes. These works emphasized conservative approaches alongside surgical intervention, drawing from cases encountered at Bendigo Hospital, and helped advance local understanding of the disease's treatment. In 1873, following the end of his hospital appointment, MacGillivray transitioned to independent private practice in Bendigo, establishing a solo operation that catered to the mining community's medical needs. This shift allowed him greater flexibility in serving patients affected by occupational hazards and chronic conditions, building on his foundational experience in Williamstown. His practice quickly gained prominence for reliable surgical care in the region.
Paul Howard McGillivray died in Bendigo on 9th. July, 1895, at his residence on the corner of Forest and Rowan Streets.
https://grokipedia.com/page/paul_macgillivray

Physical description

Hand written certificate of appreciation presented to P. H. MacGillivray, Resident Surgeon, Bendigo Gold District General Hospital from the patients upon his resignation. On stiff paper with a hand painted border of leaves, flowers and patterns in blue, green, yellow and pink. Markings - Sandhurst October 1873.