Historical information

Dr. Ian Stephen MacLeod Murphy (studied at Melbourne University) was a Surgeon Lieutenant on the destroyer S.S. Napier during WW11. Pieces of shrapnel hit Dr. Murphy on the head and he was saved by his tin helmet. He retired to Emerald in 1947 after running a successful medical practice in Hampton, with the intention of breeding turkeys. But Emerald and the surrounding districts had no doctor, so for the next 34 years, the well loved Dr. Murphy provided medical care, working 7 days a week and travelling all over the hills making house calls in all types of weather. Many families couldn't afford his services, and they didn't receive an account or if they did pay, the cheques were not cashed. Often payment was rendered in the form of fruit and vegetables. He was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1977 for devotion to the health of the community. He died in 1981 at the age of 76 years and a Memorial Fund was set up in his name to provide support for local students studying Medicine.

Significance

Dr Murphy was the first resident Emerald doctor. He has an interesting and distinguished history.

Physical description

Accounts (8) sent by Dr Murphy of Emerald to the A'vard family between 1957 and 1971