Dr Richard Marsden – Urologist

Richard Marsden

Many of my older patients in Bundaberg will remember Richard. Richard was a well-known and respected Urologist in Bundaberg for many years. He was the only Urologist in Bundy and very committed to regional QLD. This legend passed away on the 5th of November.

I owe my big move from South Africa to Australia to him. I met him at the bi-annual UROSA (Urology Society of South Africa) conference at Sun City in 2005. We struck up a conversation and by the end of this I was given a business card and told to contact him if I was keen to take over his practice in Bundaberg. He was in the process of retiring. It took me a few weeks to realize what an opportunity he had given me.

My wife and I flew out to Bundaberg a couple of months later to do our LSD-trip (look, see and decide). A trip most South Africans do before we make the huge decision to uproot our families for the unknown. Australia held a huge promise of safety, freedom and a future for our daughters. We flew into Bundaberg and fell in-love with the town. It reminded us of the East Coast of South Africa (the then Natal province) with its ocean, sugarcane and humidity.

Richard and Carol welcomed us. Richard showed me his routine and introduced me to the operating room and ward staff. We learnt that Richard was also an immigrant, from the UK. He spent his childhood years during WW2 in Johannesburg, South Africa. He joined his parents in Melbourne after the war after which they returned to the UK. He embarked on his medical career in London. He too made the decision to re-locate to Australia with his 2 daughters. Natasha and I made the heavy decision that this was where we wanted to raise our girls.

Thank you, Richard!