Doctor William Craig

 We were fortunate to have Phillipa Heale, granddaughter of Doctor William Craig of Box Hill as our speaker in October. Phillipa spoke first about the story of her great grandfather’s background in Scotland and his arrival in Australia on the ship “Red Jacket after a very short (for the period) 69 days journey, in July 1854.

Mr Craig went to Ballarat and on December 3 1854 was present at the Eureka Stockade.

Later Walter moved to Smythesdale, near Ballarat where a house was built for him. The Chinese population were particular friends to Walter as about one third of the people there were Chinese. They had a portable Joss House in the town and ran restaurants, shops and a saloon. Soon Walter married Esther and they lived in Smythesdale and eventfully had two little boys, Andrew and William, who incidentally were present at the time of the discovery and display of the Welcome Nugget, and were allowed to hold the precious piece of gold.

Later the family came to Melbourne and the two boys attended Wesley Collage. William did a medical degree and worked in Lilydale tor a time.

Dr Craig had an extensive medical practice in Box Hill living in a large house in the district. Phillipa had memories of the huge uncomfortable and cold house of her grandfather. The doctor was an avid collector of fine books and owned a large and valuable private collection of rare volumes.

Dr Craig was in partnership with Dr Bourne and together they battled the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1919. He and his wife travelled together as far as Ferntree Gully and Croydon to deliver babies and treat patients. They were well known identities moving about Box Hill in a large 1916 American car. Doncaster and Kew provided patients for Dr Craig’s extensive practice.

After a long and eventful life wherein Dr Craig was on numerous school councils, sporting groups and other community activities, he died in 1941.

A wonderful obituary describing Dr Craig’s full life was printed in the Box Hill Reporter and at his funeral the streets of Box Hill were lined with well wishers and grateful patients as the cortege moved to the Box Hill Cemetery’ where Dr Craig was buried.

We are grateful to Phillipa Heale for her comprehensive illustrated talk on one of the district’s earliest medical practitioners.

Source: 2005-12 DTHS Newsletter