By Greg Martin

The words highly respected and much admired barely begin to describe how Blacktown residents feel about Dr Prabha Chandra.

Revered is probably a better fit.

When your favourite magazine learned that Dr Chandra was retiring after 53 years at his Stephen Street practice, we knew there was a story worth telling.

So, on Friday, June 26, we headed to 134 Stephen Street to meet the doctor on his final day caring for the community he has served for more than half a century.

When your writer and photographer Kathryn Johnston arrived, the front of the surgery was already filled with people. There were a few youngsters, but most had, as they say, a little “snow in their hair”.

A table had been set up outside, with pride of place given to a huge – and, according to Kathryn, absolutely mouth-watering – retirement cake, complete with “Happy Retirement” iced across the top.

Among those gathered to farewell their beloved doctor was the Hardy family, with four generations having been cared for by Dr Chandra.

If that isn’t the ultimate endorsement of both his medical expertise and his warm bedside manner, then Dr Christian Barnard knew nothing about heart transplants.

Before Dr Chandra returned from lunch, we had the chance to speak with Jason Hardy-Cowan and his parents, Jenny and Garry Hardy, who were full of praise for the man who had looked after their family for decades.

“He is such a lovely man – much more so than other doctors I’d visited,” Jenny said.

“He always went above and beyond in caring for his patients.”

Jason agreed.

“Dr Chandra has always been highly regarded for his medical skills, but he was also so kind and caring. He’s a truly wonderful man.”

When Dr Chandra and his wife of 58 years, Shubha, returned from lunch, they were completely taken by surprise.

You couldn’t have wiped the smiles off their faces with a sheet of sandpaper.

“It was such a surprise to see all those familiar faces waiting for us when we arrived back at the surgery,” Dr Chandra said.

“Both Shubha and I were amazed that so many of our long-time patients made the effort to come and farewell us.

“It is a day that will stay with us for a very long time.”

Born in southern India, Dr Chandra will celebrate his 85th birthday next month.

He graduated from Mysore Medical College in 1965 before completing a Master of Surgery degree five years later.

“A close friend emigrated to Australia in 1971 and, after many conversations with him, Shubha and I decided to follow in his footsteps,” Dr Chandra said.

“I first worked at Western Suburbs Hospital in Croydon, but in 1973 I decided I wanted to become a general practitioner, so I purchased a practice in Blacktown from Dr Andrew White, who was retiring.”

It was the beginning of a remarkable journey that would see Dr Chandra become one of Blacktown’s most respected and trusted medical professionals.

Asked about retirement plans, Dr Chandra admitted he and Shubha haven’t thought too far ahead.

“Our first trip will be to Melbourne to visit our son Varunan, his wife Malavika, and our three-year-old grandson, Aarav,” he said.

Like his father, Varunan pursued a career in medicine and is now an ophthalmologist.

Away from medicine, Dr Chandra has always enjoyed sport. In his younger years he was a keen tennis player and cyclist and proudly admits to being a one-eyed supporter of India whenever cricket is on.

He also developed a love for rugby league after settling in Australia and has remained a passionate Parramatta Eels supporter ever since.

Mick Cronin kicked plenty of goals for the Eels during his illustrious career, but it’s fair to say Blacktown scored one of its own when Dr Prabha Chandra arrived more than five decades ago.