Long-time Wanneroo GP Dr Jeffrey LaValette is being remembered for his decades of service to the Western Australian community.
The AMA (WA) honorary life member was a GP at Lakewood Medical Centre for more than 40 years. He died recently at the age of 88.
He was also one of the GPs given “visiting rights” when Wanneroo Hospital (now Joondalup Hospital) first opened in 1980 and was chair of the hospital’s medical advisory committee for 15 years.
After selling his practice, Dr LaValette worked as the full-time doctor at Wanneroo Community Nursing Home before retiring at the age of 80 in 2016.
Having done weekly visits to the residents there beginning in 1997, he had become well known at the aged care home according to a statement provided by Elderbloom Community Care Centres.
“He was not only a favourite with the residents, but he became a friend to many of us and a mentor to staff who were studying in various medical fields.
“Jeff always had a smile on his face, a joke or funny tale to tell, and was always there for everyone who needed him. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed,” the statement read.
Dr LaValette was born in Scotland and studied medicine at Glasgow University after a childhood mostly spent in South Africa and Zambia during World War II.
In 1963 as a newly minted doctor, he immediately returned to Africa and worked for several years at a hospital in Kitwe in northern Zambia.
In 1971 Dr LaValette made the move to Australia on a three-year contract with the WA regional health service.
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According to details provided to the AMA (WA) he arrived in Perth at night and was met by his medical superintendent who took him to a motel close to the airport. He was picked up early the next day for a flight to his first posting in the Kimberley region.
When he arrived in Wyndham, he was met by the hospital matron who told him: “You have a lady who is presenting breach and has been in distress for two days. Forget your luggage and get in the car.”
There was no hospital anaesthetist, so with the help of the nurses Dr LaValette administered the anaesthetic and performed a successful caesarean section.
He told friends later that he made up his mind that Australia was to be his new home on that very first day on the job.
After Wyndham, he was sent to work at Wickham Hospital in the Pilbara where he continued to deliver many babies and worked closely with the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
After the contract ended, Dr LaValette moved to Perth and joined the Lakewood practice, which he later bought.
It was at Wanneroo Hospital in 1988 that he met his Scottish-born wife who was employed there in administration.
It was at the very same hospital that Dr LaValette passed away peacefully on April 28.
Dr LaValette is survived by his wife, six children and 10 grandchildren.
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