Willaura’s Town Hero… the doctor who delivered 2000 babies

By Kirsten Diprose, co-host of Town Criers and founder, Rural Podcasting Co.

Every town has a historical hero. A figure from the past, who is loved or even idolised. And it’s such a joy to uncover that person, every time I arrive somewhere new for the Town Criers podcast. Sometimes their glory is exaggerated, questionable or even completely untrue.

But, for the small Victorian town of Willaura (population 440), their local hero is very deserving of his status in the collective consciousness. His name, is Dr Cyril Checchi and is still in living memory for many of the residents. He was a WWI veteran who treated wounded soldiers on the battlefield. When he returned to Australia, he settled in the sheep and wheat farming town of Willaura, at the base of the Grampians.

As the the town's trusted doctor, it's believed he delivered 2000 babies... which means at one point in the town's history... most Willaura residents were probably delivered by Dr Checchi!

Multiple people I spoke to, told me about Dr Checchi and how he was such a ‘wonderful man’, and community supporter (including mending all the wounds after the local footy matches). But if that wasn't enough... he's also credited with establishing the town's reticulated watering system in 1949 and then its sewerage system in 1968... vastly improving the quality of life for residents of Willaura.

Dr Cyril Checchi on his bicycle.

So, yes - legend status seems fair for Dr C.

There’s a small display carved out for him in the former Scouts Hall in Willaura, which is now being used by local Historical Society. There, you’ll find Dr Checci’s medical practice sign, his old suitcase and a few of his old tools… including a rather large, ominous looking needle.

The President of the Historical Society, John Walter, remembers Dr Checchi fondly. When John was a boy, he was occassionally treated by Dr Checchi; who by this time, was a rather old man.

“He shook a lot,” John recalls

“He had Parkinsons or something like that. But the joke was, when he gave you an injection or something, his shakes would settle right down.”

Dr Checchi’s life was marked by tragedy too. His son, David was killed while training in the Air Force, at the beginning of WWII.

“They said that really knocked his socks off, it really affected him,” John Walter said.

“And he did have a daughter, Pauline… she lived till’ a good old age.”

Dr Cyril Checchi served as Willaura’s doctor for 60 years. Interestingly, you can find him in a photograph in the National Archives for his service to the country in WWI. But his service to his small community, you could argue has been just as valuable and also deserves great recognition.

Hear his story …and more on the Town Criers Willaura and Moyston episodes.