“Dr John Brown’s visiting paediatric service laid the foundation that has been built on,” he said.

“Margaret Goodman, was the first charge sister in the new dedicated paediatric ward at Shoalhaven Hospital when it was built in 1980.

“She gave 30 years’ service there and 45 years all up to the hospital, and her 

many staff.

“It is incredible in the 34 years of the children’s ward we have only had two full-time nurse unit managers in Mrs Goodman and now Coleen Foy.

“Local GPs such as Bill and Pat Ryan, Lee Simes, John Spivey and Colin Shepherd to name just a few have all be extremely supportive.

“Being able to transfer critically ill children to Sydney by the NETS Service [Newborn and Paediatric Transport Service] and our close links with both the children’s 

hospitals has ensured improved service.

“And more recently the establishment of the Special Care Nursery.”

He said numerous visiting subspecialists also make visits to the area expanding the services.

A major step forward has been the involvement of Shoalhaven Paediatric Services in the teaching program of the Graduate School of Medicine Wollongong, Shoalhaven Campus.

“Through our Shoalhaven campus local students can now receive training in many disciplines including paediatrics at Shoalhaven Hospital,” he said.

“It is hoped that medical students from the Shoalhaven and South Coast, who have trained locally are more likely to return to this region to care for their local community once they have completed their training,” Dr Greenacre said.

With his colleague Dr Mark de Souza they have a combined service of 54 years to Shoalhaven Hospital and 65 years’ experience in paediatrics, servicing not only the Shoalhaven but offering clinics as far south as Bega.