Greg was a great-great grandson of Gregory Blaxland, the pioneer and explorer, and the first son of Henry Charles Blaxland, a well remembered house master of The Kings School. He studied medicine at Sydney University during the depression years of the 1930’s and was graduated MB BS with second class honours in 1937.

After a year at St Vincent’s Hospital as an intern, he entered general practice at Merrylands in 1938 and married in the same year. He had enlisted in the AAMC as a captain (militia) in 1937 and in 1942 he transferred to the AIF for active service. He was first posted to Western Australia and later to New Britain with 105^th Casualty Cleaning Station. He gained his membership in 1944 and was promoted to major. After discharge from active service he remained on the Reserve of Officers until 1966. After the war he returned to general practice at Merrylands. His interest in paediatrics was encouraged by appointment to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children in 1948 as honorary relieving assistant physician. In 1950 he moved to Turramurra to join his brother George Blaxland in a practice which soon grew to a group of four. Here he remained until his death.

The group practice gave more scope for paediatrics. At the Children’s Hospital he became assistant physician in 1952, associate physician in 1964 and consultant physician in 1966. He gave generously of his time and effort in the outpatient practice of the Hospital and in the teaching of students. He was articulate and communicated readily with understanding and a proper regard for the use of words. He had a quick wit, an appreciative sense of humour and an enviable grasp of the English language. Local paediatric activities included attendance at the John Williams Memorial Hospital, the Strathellan Orthopaedic Hospital and the Margaret Reid Orthopaedic Hospital. He was also honorary consulting paediatrician to the Hornsby and District Hospital. He joined the Australian Paediatric Association in 1957 and was a member of the AMA.

In addition to his dominant interest in children, Greg was a real doctor of wide scope and ability known and trusted by a large number of upper North Shore residents of all ages and conditions. He lived a full and active life and was still only partly retired at the time of his death. He died quietly at home in his bed of cardiac arrest while waiting to take a morning shower.

He had many interests outside his profession; the accompanying photograph shows two. He is framed by a snow gum and holds a camera. When young he was a cross country skier and he introduced me to a reflex type camera when we were students. He made many splendid photographs and also produced creditable paintings in oils. His mother was a skilled pianist; this may well have determined his life long interest in music as a listener. His maternal grandfather was a cabinet maker and Greg built quite beautiful pieces of furniture. He loved wood and made carvings, particularly of fruits and flowers, of rare visual and tactile beauty. He had a tennis court at his house in St Ives and played golf when time allowed. He was a crack shot with rifle and pistol and won awards for shooting at school and in the Sydney University Regiment.

Greg’s stable and tolerant personality ensured a lasting and happy marriage. His first child died in early infancy of developmental heart disease. His widow, two sons and grandchildren survive him. He was a man of wide interests and culture representing much of the best of his times and will be remembered with affection by many.

Author: HG MARSH

The above was extracted from the Geni.com website on 26 December, 2019.