Doc Ryan to be honoured in Pemberton with new bust at museum

A long-serving medical practitioner who once worked in Pemberton and Northcliffe will be honoured and immortalised with a brass bust and plaque during the opening of the Pemberton Museum. Clifford “Doc” Ryan will have a sculpted bust — created by Mandy Drake Sneeuwjagt — unveiled at Balang Miya Community Hub on Wednesday. The aim is for visitors to learn about his contributions to the Southern Forests community, having served as a doctor in the region for 43 years. Dr Ryan worked in anaesthesiology, radiology, chiropractic, and pharmacy during his tenure as sole medical practitioner from 1937, when he first moved to the region, until his retirement in 1979. While in town, he was also helping local farmers identify issues with their livestock and farm animals. He was recognised for his efforts by the Pemberton community with the renaming of Hospital Avenue, which was changed to Doc Ryan Close in 2020. His sons Tony and Colin said the sculpture was an honour for the Ryan family. “This is not my idea or Colin’s idea, but the Pemberton community wants to do this,” Tony said. “He never had a holiday and was working during World War II, and around a baby a day was born in that time. “When he started in Pemberton, there were no (surgical) theatres, so he had to operate in the laundry.” Colin said his father worked tirelessly during WWII. “He helped keep surveillance in Windy Harbour, which could have been a landing spot for the enemy,” he said. “He used to get on horseback to get there.”