Australia Day honours 2021: David Schuster, Phillip Gibson, Neville Owen recognised

From photographers to publicans and a man who put 100,000 people to sleep, these are the everyday legends of our community.

Dr David Schuster has been awarded an Australia Day honour for service to medicine and the Dubbo community. Picture: Ryan Young

During his 47-year-career, Dubbo doctor David Schuster estimates he put more than 100,000 people to sleep and it’s that’s work, alongside his commitment to local and national service that has seen him recognised in this year’s Australia Day honours.

A renowned anaesthetist, Dr Schuster has been named a member (AM) in the general division of the Order of Australia for significant service to medicine and the Dubbo community.

“I think it’s a wonderful thing, it just blew me away, I had no idea it was coming,” he said.

“I have to give credit to people who helped me to achieve the things that I’m perceived to have achieved, especially my wife Rosalie but also my family, three children and colleagues, especially the nurses.”

Dr David Schuster (left) with former colleagues.

After studying and training in his hometown of Sydney, Dr Schuster moved to Dubbo in 1974 and became an integral part of the regional NSW health system until he retired in 2014.

“Many people came adrift while driving through Dubbo on holidays and so on, so there was quite a lot of road trauma,” the former Dubbo Base Hospital director of anaesthetics recalled.

“I was a supervisor of training for the College of Anaesthetists for a number of years.

“We had trainees, registrars on rotation from Prince of Wales hospital in Sydney for quite a long time and occasionally others.”

Dr Schuster’s commitment to training the next generation of medical specialists continued during his time as a lecturer and examiner at the University of Sydney’s School of Rural Health.

“It’s a noble thing to do and if people like me didn’t do it there wouldn’t be another generation coming on,” he said.

Dr Schuster has volunteered with his local Rural Fire Brigade. Picture: Zizi Averill

While working and educating, Dr Schuster also found time to serve as a reserve medical officer with the Royal Australian Air Force from 1978 to 2004.

“I was the anaesthetist at RMAF base Butterworth on three occasions and twice I went to Bougainville towards the end of the civil war there.

“Mostly the trouble was with the local civilians or the local police force who had been set upon by tribesmen.”

Outside of work, Dr Schuster has been heavily involved with the Orana Gardens aged care facility, serving as a director since 2015 and vice-chairman since 2015.

“If people put enough trust in you to invite you to take on a responsibility I think you have a duty to society to do the best you can,” he said.

“I’ve had a fortunate life and I think the more you have, the greater your responsibility to repay a certain debt and so if I’m in a position to help I’m always willing to help to the best of my ability.”

Since 2000 Dr Schuster has been a volunteer member of the Emmagool Rural Fire Brigade and he supports the work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, World Vision, The Salvation Army and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bathurst.

Dr Schuster is a supporter of the RFDS. Picture Dean Martin

Dr Schuster was among several other western NSW residents to be recognised in this year’s Australia Day honours.

Parkes man Donald Chisholm was posthumously recognised with a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia for his service to the community as a former president of the Australian Democrats, president of local Rotary Clubs, publican at the Parkes Phoenix Bar and manager of the Astro Dish Motor Inn.

During his time as a member of the Wellington community Mr Chisholm served as Director of Marantha House, Central Hotel publican, Bridge Motel manager and president of the Wellington Eisteddfod Society.

Dubbo man and co-founder of the Inland Water Rejuvenation Association Michael O’Neill received an OAM for service to the rejuvenation of inland rivers.

Coonamble man Neville Owen received a posthumous OAM for service to his local community, through his work as an inaugural member of the Coonamble and District Archives Committee.

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Mr Owen provided more than 300,000 photos taken since the 1950s to the archives, which document various events in Coonamble.

Nyngan man Phillip Gibson was awarded an OAM for his leadership of the Nyngan Show Society, Tennis Club and Mullengudgery Rural Fire Brigade.