governmentmedicalofficer

Dr. Joseph Andrew Arratta was born in 1899 in Mount Morgan. He was the sixth child in a family of ten, the son of a San Francisco born father and Tambo born mother. He attended school in Rockhampton at the Christian Brothers College and was Dux in 1916. He received one of only twenty university scholarships awarded to Queenslanders that year and in 1917 he began his medical studies at Sydney University. He graduated in 1922 and was a resident at Sydney Hospital until 1924. The following year, Dr. Arratta applied for a position as the Government Medical Officer at Muttaburra in central-west Queensland. His starting salary was £500 per year with a free (unfurnished) house and the right of private practice. Source; www.muttaburra.com/family-histories/dr-joseph-arratta/

ABOUT DR ARRATTA MUSEUM Located in the picturesque town of Muttaburra, home to the Muttaburrasaurus is the Dr Arratta Hospital Museum. The museum houses an array of medical artefacts and historical memorabilia. Take a step back in time and see how medicine has evolved throughout the years. Guided tours of the Museum can be arranged by calling into the Muttaburra Visitor Information Centre or contacting the phone numbers at the Museum. Source; www.outbackqueensland.com.au/attractions/dr-arratta-museum/

Great stuff, he looks to be a tough old bird, straight out of the British Empire.

cogito ergo imago He certainly does. It was no doubt a hard life back then.

At the southern-most tip of the Mackay Region, St Lawrence is one of coastal Queensland’s oldest settlements and abounds in historic charm. The township was originally built to service the Port of St Lawrence, an export hub for shipping gold, copper and cattle from the hinterland. The port and an abattoir were both constructed using convict labour, remnants of both can still be viewed. Many original buildings dating pre-1900s can be found in the township, including the Anglican Church, the Council Office, Court House, Police Station and the library located in the restored Railway Station. Unlock the heritage of this historic town in the St Lawrence Cemetery, with graves dating back to the 1800s. Old machinery and remnants of a pioneering past can be viewed at Centenary Pavilion. The Pavilion is a great place for a family day of fun with shaded picnic tables and electric barbecues, a playground and public swimming pool, sports fields and public exercise equipment. More picnic tables and barbecues can be located at the Recreational Reserve, home of camp drafting and polocrosse events. Year-round camping facilities are available. This location is also the start of the St Lawrence Wetlands walk. The St Lawrence Wetlands are a key attraction, home to fish, turtles, snakes and frogs. The wetlands also support nationally threatened waterbirds, with more than 55 varieties of waterbird recorded in the area, with 92 bird species discovered in total. A walking track with interpretive signs provides ease of access to delightful viewing points. Two tidal creeks providing excellent fishing opportunities are close to the township. Follow signs near the Anglican Church to the old meatworks site (abattoir) and continue across the Newport Conservation Park to reach the boat ramp at Waverly Creek. St Lawrence Creek can be accessed from St Lawrence N Road near the railway bridge. View old bridge remnants at Marg’s Park, complete with picnic tables and an information board on the town’s history. www.mackayregion.com/explore/2-uncategorised/179-st-lawrence

Leggings on the Doctor similar to those worn by a cavalry soldier in the Royal Australian Army.