Vale Lawrie Bartlett 1938 - 2022
Lawrie was educated at Scarborough Primary School, then Perth Modern School, and was awarded a State Bursary to study dentistry. He graduated from the Faculty of Dental Science with a BDSc in 1960. On graduation, he was employed by the Perth Dental Hospital, before marrying Gay and taking a school dental caravan to Port Hedland to practise in the town and outlying areas. In 1965 Lawrie, Gay and their two children returned to Perth, where he did locum work for a short time, prior to building his own practice in Wembley Downs, where he worked until his retirement in 1998. Lawrie was especially interested in children’s dentistry, establishing a thriving practice in Bournemouth Crescent, and was active in the then Children’s Dentistry Society. He was also invited to lecture to the student dental nurses. Lawrie was a great sportsman and was invited to join East Perth Football club, but instead played University football. He was vice captain of the Green Team and earned a trip to Hobart. He was awarded a Full Blue for his efforts in 1958.
Later he played with The Wembley Amateurs and enjoyed coaching the junior teams there. Whilst at university, a group of us played social squash and continued after graduation till age caught up and golf became our sport. Lawrie played regularly as a member of Cottesloe Golf Club from 1987 to 2015 and also at Wembley with the Wednesday Whackers from 2010 to 2019. Fishing was a life-long passion with Lawrie, and we spent many happy times fishing at Rottnest, The Abrolhos, Dirk Hartog Island and The Mackerel Isles. In the latter years we fished, dived for abalone and crabbed locally on a regular basis. Lawrie’s great skill in fishing meant that we always went home with a good catch of quality fish. Lawrie’s passing leaves behind many friends as well as his partner Gay, children Vernon, Yasmin and Nicole, and four devoted grandchildren. Words: Dr Gary Davis
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