Wyalkatchem celebrates Larry

Celebrating the generosity of Wyalkatchem local Larry Elsegood, who left the shire more than $1.3 million, the town has renamed its medical centre in his honour.

The Larry Elsegood Medical Centre was unveiled last Friday to commemorate the endowment.

Nationals Member for the Agricultural Region Mia Davies, who grew up in Wyalkatchem, stressed the importance of having a medical service in the town.

“Only a few months ago, I was here talking about the crisis point that the town was facing with medical services,” she said.

“The story is no different wherever we go; health services are the number one issue rural communities would like resolved."

Shire president Susan Bruse said she felt privileged to dedicate the medical centre to Larry. “Our community is fortunate to be the recipient of his generous gesture,” she said.

Larry, who was born in Wyalkatchem in 1930, spent the majority of his life in the district. He attended the local school and joined the family farm thereafter.

Shire deputy Quentin Davies said one of Larry’s greatest achievements was being only four months short of 50 years as a member and driver of the local St John Ambulance.

“During his last days in the Wyalie hospital, he was very grateful for any small attentions that staff gave him,” he said.

“A hard worker, Larry ran an excellent farming operation until his health declined.”

Larry was a founder and contributor to Wyalkatchem’s sporting clubs, a member of the local fire brigade and Rotary club, was a shire councillor for 22 years and was made a Freeman of the shire.

He was also member of the hospital board for 22 years and a staunch supporter of the local football and cricket clubs.