Atticus Health

28/05/2026

https://youtu.be/BDUdp2sXHBM

A local giant

I once used to watch Doc Martin on television. It is a show based in Cornwall in the south of England. In fact, I was fortunate to visit there myself, many years ago, to celebrate the 100th birthday of my wife’s now late grandmother (my grandmother-in-law I guess!). If you ever followed the show, you’d know that it’s really quite funny. It’s filled with characters, and relationships, and tracks the adventures and misadventures of an iconic local GP – Doc Martin. Sometimes he’s in the clinic and sometimes he’s visiting people’s homes. All in all, you just know that under a brash exterior, he cares deeply about the town and its people, even when times are tough.

Minus some of the rough corners and perhaps adding a few unique ones, my time spent over the last 6 months or so getting to know Dr Peter Keillar reminds me of Doc Martin (I’m not sure if Peter will take that as a compliment or insult, but that’s what it is!)

Commencing his first day in 1992, Dr Peter Keillar has worked in Hastings for over 34 years. His last day of work will be Friday 29 May (tomorrow). Dr Keillar represents a person who found a calling as a doctor, and opened his doors, almost literally to everyone. His direct demeanour is the outermost layer of the onion that encloses a depth of emotion for his patients and their welfare.

As I started working with Dr Keillar I found myself saying “goodo” a lot. Although I could never quite pull off the Scottish accent! That goodo usually meant he was about to move to doing the next thing as he ducked around. Getting to the point, he has been an incredibly hardworking doctor at “The Hastings Clinic” for all of those years, seeing patient after patient day in and day out, largely without flinching. Days, and even nights.

Sometimes I’d ask “Where’s Peter?” and the receptionists would say “he’s out doing a home visit”. In the current day and age, that is such a rare service for a GP. The sort of thing you do, really as an act of charity. Yet for Peter, this was his normal.

Other times, he’d be off to the local nursing home, caring for a group of patients who once again, really needed him.

One day, we went for a walk to the local coffee shop at Hastings, “The Sandwich King” and as we sat on an outside table, a couple walked past and had a yarn to Peter. It made me realise, that for all that “busyness” and so many patients seen, Dr Keillar still kept and gave that common touch. Even after 34 years, each person mattered. Each life mattered. And so it was that the doors of The Hastings Clinic, remained opened, with Dr Peter Keillar at the helm.

All in all, it has been a privilege to work with Dr Peter Keillar. He has inspired and strengthened my own resolve to maintain that ethos of humanitarianism in medicine. Dr Keillar will be sorely missed by the town of Hastings and surrounds. We say a big “thank you” and honour Dr Peter Keillar’s longstanding contributions to Westernport and wish him a fond farewell in retirement.

And, we look forward to continuing the legacy of The Hastings Clinic, originally founded in 1947 and a place clearly Driven by Soul, as Atticus Health Victoria Street.

“Goodo”

Dr Floyd Gomes

I was walking past Peter’s room at the Hastings clinic the other af...

27/05/2026

I was sitting in the staff room the other morning, watching the rain blur the windows and waiting for the kettle to do its thing, when I struck up a conversation with our newest team member, Luke Armstrong. Within about two minutes of chatting, I knew he was exactly the kind of person we need in the trenches with us.

Luke is a Registered Nurse and a Credentialed Diabetes Educator, but what makes him truly special isn’t the letters after his name. It’s the fact that he has lived with Type 1 diabetes for nearly thirty years.

When you sit down with Luke, you don't get a clinical lecture or a textbook speech. You get someone who actually knows what it feels like to balance blood sugars on a stressful Tuesday afternoon, or how frustrating a sudden spike can be. There’s an immediate sense of kindness in how he listens, he looks at the person behind the number on a page, understanding the daily mental load that comes with managing a chronic condition.

He’s already fit beautifully into the rhythm of the clinic. You’ll often see him huddled with our GPs and nurses, figuring out how we can wrap a proper blanket of care around someone who’s just been diagnosed or is feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Luke runs Diabetes Wellness Coaching, and he’s joined us to help locals navigating Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes. He has a real curiosity for blending the latest tech, like insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), with practical exercise management, which makes sense given he also holds a Certificate 3 in Fitness. He’s all about giving you practical, real-world tools so you can live your life without diabetes constantly running the show.

Whether you've been managing diabetes for years and want to look into the newer technology, or you’re just trying to make sense of a new diagnosis, Luke is here to help. He’s available for both face-to-face chats here at Atticus Health and telehealth consultations from this week onwards. You can find him on Thursdays at Hardware Lane.
https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/melbourne-VIC-3000/atticus-health-hardware-lane/doctors/luke-armstrong-1

If you see him walking around the clinic, please give him a warm welcome. Or better yet, book a spot to come in, sit down, and have a proper yarn with him. You’ll see exactly what I mean.

Cheers,

The Atticus Health Team

25/05/2026

I was walking across the bridge from Southbank into the CBD the other morning, one of those biting, slate-grey Melbourne winter starts where the wind tunnels straight down the streets and everyone has their coat collars turned up high. While standing there waiting for a tram, you hear it: that heavy, deep, rattling winter cough from someone nearby. It’s the unofficial soundtrack of June, and it makes you instinctively pull your scarf a bit tighter.

Over at the clinic, our team has been kept beautifully busy lately. It’s really heartening to see so many local office workers and city residents already dropping in during their lunch breaks to get themselves sorted early. There’s a quiet rhythm to it when our nurses and receptionists work together to get people looked after quickly, warmly, and without any fuss.

As a GP, my advice here is pretty straightforward and unvarnished. The flu virus absolutely thrives when we start huddling together away from the cold, in warm office lifts, packed peak-hour trams, and cosy cafes. Getting a defensive shield in your arm isn't about some corporate health checklist; it’s just common sense. And really, it's a small act of kindness for the person sitting next to you on the commute who might be fighting a much tougher health battle than you know.

Because we want to look after our immediate city neighbourhood, the team has come up with a practical way to make it easy. Throughout the month of June, we are offering $14 flu vaccines on Wednesdays and Fridays specifically for CBD, Docklands, and Southbank locals or workers who hold a Medicare Card.

Note: If you don’t have a Medicare card, please don’t let that stop you from coming in—we will absolutely still look after you, there’s just a small appointment fee that applies in addition to the $14 vaccine.

There’s no need to let a winter bug catch you out this year. Pop online, find a quick spot that fits around your morning coffee run or your lunch break, and let us take care of the rest.

Only for CBD, Docklands & South Bank locals or workers who have medicare
Only for June on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Book appointments online:
https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/melbourne-VIC-3000/atticus-health-hardware-lane/doctors

👉 Book Your Flu Vaccine Appointment Online Today

Stay warm out there,

The Atticus Health Team

22/05/2026

I was standing on the deck at Jindivick the other morning, watching that thick West Gippsland mist crawl across the green hills. It was properly freezing, the kind of cold that gets right into your knuckles before the cafe doors even open for the morning. I was wrapping both hands around a hot coffee just to keep my fingers moving, watching the steam vanish into the crisp air.
Sallie Jones from Gippsland Jersey popped in to see us at the Willing Enable Cafe. Sitting down with her over a brew, you get a raw reminder of just how much soul can be poured into a local business. Sallie and her co-founder, Steve, started Gippsland Jersey back in 2016, right in the thick of the dairy crisis. It was born out of an incredibly heavy piece of personal grief after Sallie tragically lost her dad, Michael, to su***de. Instead of letting that darkness take over, she channeled her energy into paying local dairy farmers a fair price, smashing the stigma around rural mental health, and practicing plain, old-fashioned kindness.
But Sallie didn’t just want to talk shop in the warmth of the cafe. She bundling us into the car for a two-minute drive down the road to visit Steve and Bec Ronalds' dairy farm. If I'm honest, it was just the tonic needed. There’s something universally good for the soul about seeing a paddock full of new-generation Jersey calves. They were incredibly healthy, inquisitive, and, yes, ridiculously cute. Seeing that life coming full circle on a working farm really brings home the reality of what supporting local actually means.

Lately, I’ve been noticing more and more of our neighbours making a deliberate choice to support independent local outfits like Sallie’s, Steve’s, and Bec's. It’s becoming the default standard around here, and it’s a beautiful thing to witness.
Seeing those robust calves got me thinking about health on our end of the stethoscope, too. As a GP, I spend a lot of time reviewing the dietary habits of my patients, particularly the older ones. There’s a piece of quiet, science-backed guidance I find myself offering friend-to-friend in the consulting room: don’t skip the real dairy. For elderly people, high-quality milk is massively important. It’s an easy, accessible source of calcium and protein that is absolutely crucial for keeping bones strong and preventing the frailty that can so quickly rob a person of their independence. Good dairy helps keep you moving.

That’s why we are absolutely rapt to share that Gippsland Jersey is now the official milk supplier for the Willing Enable Cafe in Jindivick. On top of that, we’ve stocked our fridges with their 1 and 2-litre cartons, so you can buy your weekly milk right here from us and bypass the big supermarkets entirely.

Next time you’re passing through Jindivick, pop in, grab a cuppa made with the good stuff, take a look at the view, and have a yarn with the team. It’s a simple way to look after your own strength, stay connected, and keep the heart of our community beating strong.

1070 Jacksons Track, Jindivick VIC 3818
https://share.google/Vr0MDrqwkmIPO8fY0

See you at the cafe,
The Atticus Health & Willing Enable Team

20/05/2026

🌊 To the nurse in Gippsland who wants to slow down and actually connect again...

We’ve all seen what the modern healthcare system can do to good people. It turns clinicians into data-entry clerks, and patients into numbers on a screen. If you've spent the last few years running on adrenaline, ticking boxes, and wishing you had just five more minutes to actually listen to the person in front of you, we hear you.

We’re Atticus Health, and we’re looking for a Registered or Enrolled Nurse to join us out in beautiful Paynesville.

This is a unique, hybrid role where you’ll be looking after the lovely community at Palm Lake Resort Paynesville, as well as checking in on some of our local home care clients nearby.

What does the day-to-day actually look like?
It’s a mix of classic, hands-on practice nursing and a bit of modern pioneering. Our GP is on-site two days a week, working right alongside you. On the other days, you’re the eyes, ears, and hands on the ground, helping us run smooth telehealth consults. You'll be doing the wound care, the health assessments, and the chronic disease management, but you'll be doing it at a human pace, in a place where people actually know your name.

The kind of human we’re looking for:
We aren’t looking for a robot who can process fifty patients a day without blinking. We’re looking for someone who:

Loves a good yarn and knows that a cup of tea can sometimes be just as therapeutic as a bandage.

Isn't afraid of a bit of technology (we'll teach you the telehealth setup, don't worry).

Values quiet trust, clinical freedom, and having a team that genuinely has their back.

Wants to work in a doctor-led team that is "Driven by Soul" (yeah, we’ve won some big awards, but we care way more about the locals in Paynesville feeling looked after).

This is a full-time, stable role based in one of the most stunning, peaceful parts of Victoria.

Come have a yarn with us.
If you're reading this and thinking, "Finally, a place that actually gets it," let's not start with a rigid interview. Let’s just have a coffee and a chat to see if we're a good fit for each other.

Reach out to us at:
https://atticushealth.com.au/careers/home-care-partner-practice-nurse/

P.S. If you do decide to drop us your CV and cover letter, please write “I’m Driven by Soul” right at the top so we know you read this and feel the same way we do.

19/05/2026

We are looking for a contractor Geriatrician to work with us in Melbourne. If this is you, or someone you know, please get in touch!

Posted 1:10:03 PM. Atticus Health is seeking a Consultant Geriatrician to join our growing aged care team, providing…See this and similar jobs on LinkedIn.

15/05/2026

There’s magic happening at the Carlton clinic, the low hum of the espresso machine nearby, the stack of files waiting for the day, and that first shared look between the team that says, "Alright, let’s do this together."

We’ve recently had two new faces join our little "neighbourhood" here on the desk and in the consulting rooms.

Meet Dr Martin Bird and our new receptionist, Lauren.

You’ll likely see Lauren first. She’s stepped into the rhythm of the front desk with a kind of effortless grace that’s hard to teach. We knew she was one of us when we saw her stop everything just to really listen to a patient who was having a bit of a rough morning, offering that genuine moment of calm that makes all the difference in a waiting room.

Then there’s Martin. He’s a Melbourne local who’s spent years in the trenches of rural and remote Australia—from the NT to SA. He’s seen it all, but he hasn’t lost that quiet curiosity about the person sitting across from him. He joined us at Atticus because he believes medicine works best when you’re actually heard.

He’s already become a vital part of the team alongside Quynh, our practice nurse (pictured here with the new recruits), bringing a wealth of experience in patient-empowered care.

Martin has a real heart for;

General Medicine
Preventative health
Mental health
Chronic and complex conditions
Children’s Health
Men’s health
Sexual Health
Travel Medicine
Steroid (Cortisone) Injections for joints
.. and he’s available for consults https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/carlton-VIC-3053/atticus-health-carlton/doctors/dr-martin-bird-5

If you’re passing by the Carlton clinic, pop your head in and say g'day to Lauren and Martin. They’re both lovely people to have a yarn with, and we’re very lucky to have them looking after us.

See you soon,

The Atticus Health Carlton Team

07/05/2026

We’ve just had a new friend move in.
Meet Dr Martin Bird.

Martin joined us because he actually likes people. A Melbourne local who has spent years working in rural and remote communities from Far North QLD to the NT and WA, Martin has seen a lot of different walks of life. He's been acting as a partner in a large Adelaide clinic for a decade and serving as Medical Director for an Aboriginal medical service here in Melbourne, his philosophy has remained the same.... patients need to be heard.

We knew he’d fit into the Atticus rhythm pretty quickly when we saw how he listens, not just to the symptoms, but to the person telling the story. He’s got that rare quality of being "unhurried" in a world that’s always rushing.

He’s already found his feet in the trenches with us, and before you know it, it will feels like he’s been here for years. He'll be bringing that wealth of experience to our Carlton and Hardware Lane clinics, and he’s genuinely curious about the stories our city community has to tell.

Martin is officially part of the furniture now and is available for consults
https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/carlton-VIC-3053/atticus-health-carlton/doctors/dr-martin-bird-5

If you’re around Carlton or the CBD, pop in and say g'day. He’s a good man to have a yarn with, and we’re lucky to have him on the team.

04/05/2026

A Flinders morning. The peninsula does have some of the most spectacular opportunities to embrace the outdoors.

20/04/2026

☕️ Innovation meets Community: The Willing Enable & Cafe Jindivick Launch! 🌿

What a spectacular day in Jindivick! We officially opened the doors to our newest Willing Enable Experience Centre and Cafe, and our hearts (and coffee cups) are full.

Jindivick has always been a place of beauty and connection, making it the perfect home for our latest latest launch of the Experience Centre. By combining a welcoming community cafe with life-changing technology, we’re creating a space where innovation feels like home.

A Heartfelt Thank You:
Bringing a project like this to life in such a unique location takes a village. We want to extend a massive thank you to everyone who made this launch a success:

🙏 The Jindivick Community: Thank you for welcoming us with open arms. Seeing so many local faces enjoying the new space was the highlight of our day!
🙏 Our Partners: To the teams at Mark and Sylvie's and Willing Enable, thank you for your dedication to creating technology that empowers older Australians to live independently and with dignity.
🙏 The Cafe Team: Thank you for keeping the coffee flowing and creating such a warm, inviting atmosphere for our guests.

At Atticus Health, we are "Driven by Soul," and seeing the community gather in Jindivick to explore the future of home care reminded us exactly why we do what we do.

Missed the festivities?
The Cafe is brewing and the Experience Centre is ready for you! Come for the coffee, stay for the innovation, and discover how we’re helping our community age meaningfully at home.

📍 Next door to Atticus Health Medical Clinic Jindivick
1070 Jacksons Track, Jindivick VIC 3818
https://willingenable.com.au/

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