Exemplary doctor and community mentor

Avery charismatic, engaging and frank person who endeared himself to anyone he came in contact with, Dr V Govindan was a very good friend to all of us. A good doctor with a friendly and busy general practice in Berala, he actively involved himself in community work.

Dr Govindan migrated to Australia in 1973 from Mumbai, and instantly became friendly with the small Indian community in Sydney. He started his medical career at the Eastern Suburb Hospital in Sydney and went on to work at the Wollongong Hospital, followed by the Lidcombe Hospital. He then decided to start a private general practice at Berala where Dr Govindan served the medical needs of people living in Berala, Lidcombe and Auburn and many more from several parts of Sydney.

As a member of the medical fraternity, Dr Govindan recognised the need to help many doctors arriving in Sydney from the Indian subcontinent, and went out of his way to assist them. Dr Govindan was a founding member of the Overseas Medical Graduates Association (OMGA). He strongly

Carnatic music. In addition we enjoyed a feast of several jugalbandis, a fusion of Hindustani and Carnatic music.

The Kumbabishekam of the Sri Venkateswara shrine at Helensburgh on June 30, 1985 made Dr Govindan turn his interest to temple activities. He was President of the Sri Venkateswara temple from 1987 to 1991. During this time he efficiently handled the temple finances bringing them back into black, and also initiated the start of the Siva shrine.

Dr Govindan was born in Aamboor, near Trichy in Tamil Nadu on October 2, 1943 and grew up in Mumbai where he studied medicine at the Nair Medical College. After graduating in medicine from Bombay University, he soon decided to migrate to Australia.

Dr Govindan is survived by his wife Bhavani, son Rajesh, daughters Vinodini and Malini, daughter-inlaw Preethi, son-in-law Ramesh and grandson Gopala, with whom he spent lots of time. He delighted in engaging with Gopala, and indeed, his face would light up simply on seeing his grandson.

May his soul rest in peace.

Om namo bhagavathe Vasudevaya. R Natarajan Iyer