Foundation seeks stories of heroic medic

Doctor Val Lishman can tell exciting stories of scaling Himalayan mountains, freezing for 18 months in Antarctica and operating on civilians in the Vietnam War.

But it is the public’s turn to share their recollections of the renowned medico as the Val Lishman Health and Research Foundation collects stories of its namesake.

Known for his adventurous spirit, the English expat arrived in Bunbury in 1965 and became the region’s first surgical specialist.

The 84-year-old father of five was on call, around the clock, for 12 straight years and treated people from an area spanning east to Collie, to Manjimup and south to Augusta.

The Foundation is working to preserve anecdotes of Dr Lishman, from the life-saving to the lifechanging.

Some contributions have already been collected, including praise from the Special Air Services Himalayan expedition leader Pat Cullinan.

Mr Cullinan said Dr Lishman improvised daily clinics for sherpas on each of the days of the walk into base camp.

“To Val this was simply what you do, or more specifically, what he did,” he said.

“Val not only contributed to all us staying alive, but significantly contributed to the morale and success of the expedition.”

Those who would like to add their anecdote or story to the collection can write to the Foundation at vlhrf@bigpond.com.

Read more about Dr Lishman and stories from those with him in Antarctica and the Himalayas in next week’s edition of The South West Magazine, free in next Thursday’s South Western Times.