DOCTOR Geoff Wicks had 100 reasons to celebrate last week when he notched up his century.
Born on 11 November 1924, Wicks has lived in Mornington for over 63 years. Wicks, who served in the Air Force in World War Two, first arrived as a locum GP to work at the Mornington Main Street Clinic in 1954, before heading to England to further his studies. He returned to work as the first obstetrician and gynaecologist on the Mornington Peninsula, based in Mornington, from 1959. Many of his patients were cared for at The Bays (previously known as Mornington Bush Nursing Hospital), while also attending to patients at Frankston Hospital. He continued his practice until around 2000, and then continued with some surgical assisting before officially retiring around 2004 aged 80.
He is unable to recollect how many babies he delivered, but it is no doubt a very large number with many probably still living in the area.
Wicks’ passion besides his work was tennis and stated it kept him healthy and agile. A group of doctors and nurses who had the privilege to have worked with Wicks got together at Kirks on Thursday 14 November to help him celebrate his milestone. One attendee told The News “There are many of us who had the privilege to work with him and all wish that we can be as active and as socially engaging as he has been”.
Wicks still lives on his own, with some help, in the home he raised his family.
First published in the Mornington News – 19 November 2024
