Good medicine and care for the community – Queen’s Birthday honours

FIFTY-years ago Dr Brian Hassett came to Ballarat as resident at the Base Hospital, he liked it so much he stayed forever.

From 1971 to 2017 Dr Hassett was a GP and partner at the Sturt Street West General Practice. He’s been there for our community in the good times and provided care and support during life’s most challenging moments.

“You see a lot of generations and it’s a really pleasing part of general practice,” he said.

“At med school I always wanted to be in general practice, it appealed to me. Ballarat was good training, it still is good training, but it was excellent in those days.”

Like many professionals who are on this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours list, Dr Hassett has been nominated for more than just doing his job.

He’s had a long involvement in supporting many communities, whether it’s over 20 years on the board of Ballarat Health Service, team doctor for the North Ballarat Roosters during the club’s VFL stint, or supporting professional development of his peers through the Royal Australian Collage of General Practitioners.

Dr Hassett said his involvement was due in part to the community around him.

“It’s about the people you meet,” he said.  “There are great people in Ballarat, not just in medicine but across the board. In medical areas there are leaders, in sport there are leaders, and in education there are leaders.

“It evolved because of my exposure to those sorts of people. They encourage you to look at doing things, and then you start to think, ‘Awww yeah’.

“My wife was very tolerant.”

On receiving a Medal of the Order of Australia, Dr Hassett was humble.

“You don’t expect these things,” he said. “It’s a pleasure when it happens and certainly to be recognised by the community is an honour.”