A PUBLIC farewell for the city’s father of psychiatry will be held in the Civic Gardens next month.
Dr John Bomford, who laid the foundation for mental health care in Bendigo while chief of the city’s psychiatric centre in the 1970s and ‘80s, will retire from private practice on December 6.
Dr Bomford arrived in Bendigo in 1964 and was appointed director of the psychiatric centre when it opened in 1970.
He retired from the public health department in 1987 and started a private clinic at St Francis House until 1992 when he moved to work part time at the Primary Care clinic.
Dr Bomford, who turned 80 last month, was awarded the Public Service Medal in 1994 for his services to the community in the Australia Day honours.
Colleagues, former patients, friends and family are invited to celebrate Dr Bomford’s 43-year contribution to the city between 5pm and 7.30pm on December 6.
The alcohol-free celebration will be held in the Civic Gardens but will relocate to St Andrew’s small hall in St Andrew’s
Avenue in the event of rain or severe heat.