VICTOR HURLEY Photo by the late Dr. Julian-Smith By courtesy <strong>of</strong> Dr. J. V. Hurley.
Many medical men have given long and valuable services to the public hospitals to which they have been appointed in an honorary capacity, but it is doubtful if any one <strong>of</strong> them has been so closely associated with his hospital in so many capacities as was Victor Hurley with the <strong>Melbourne</strong> Hospital. He went there as a student in 1907, became a resident medical <strong>of</strong>ficer in 1910, a registrar in 1911, medical superintendent the following year, honorary surgeon to out-patients in 1914, and in due course surgeon to in-patients; and finally consultant surgeon on his retirement from the active work <strong>of</strong> an honorary surgeon. His services to the hospital did not end with his participation in its surgical work. He had long been interested in hospital management, so he became a member <strong>of</strong> the committee <strong>of</strong> management and later its president. For years he did most useful work in this capacity, and retired only when he found that his deteriorating health would not allow him to carry out his duties as he desired. Apart from his long continued arduous duties for many years as a surgeon, his most concentrated activity at the hospital was when he was, as a young man in his midtwenties, its medical superintendent. During his period <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice the hospital was rebuilt to form the group <strong>of</strong> buildings now forming the greater part <strong>of</strong> the Queen Victoria Hospital. The older hospital, where he had started as a student, was a rambling old structure, built at different periods, and it was a tremendous task to keep the hospital functioning while new parts were being constructed. Physically as well as mentally it was a great effort, for he used to climb up six flights <strong>of</strong> steps in all the new pavilions making his inspections at least twice a day, before the lifts had been installed. Yet during this busy and fatiguing period he studied hard, and obtained his M.D. and M.S. degrees. He was brought in contact constantly with committeemen and honoraries while this transition was taking place, and his efficiency and unfailing good nature in the presence <strong>of</strong> worrying problems made a strong and lasting favourable impression on them. It was the same with whatever task he was asked to perform. He gave to it his best endeavour, did whatever he had to do with a strong but unobtrusive sense <strong>of</strong> duty, and above all, never failed to create a friendly atmosphere among all those with whom he had to work. He did not "turn on charm". It came natural to him to be pleasant to others, and to arouse good feeling and friendliness towards himself. As a schoolboy, he was merry and lively, with this unconscious natural capacity for making people, young or old, feel well disposed towards him. This happy characteristic persisted through life, and it undoubtedly contributed to the successful outcome <strong>of</strong> the many difficult tasks he was called upon to undertake in peace and in war. He was full <strong>of</strong> fun as a schoolboy and undergraduate, and throughout life he never lost the ability to see the funny side <strong>of</strong> things. This must have helped him to cope with many a difficult situation or troublesome individual. A pompous manner and a haughty or superior air during a meeting or interview did not apparently perturb him, but he would quietly chuckle afterwards at the ridiculous nature <strong>of</strong> the whole affair. He was good naturedly tolerant <strong>of</strong> a lazy, stupid, or inefficient man, but he would never find anything funny or excusable in an insincere one. This combination <strong>of</strong> administrative efficiency with good nature, made him a very successful Dean <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Melbourne</strong> Medical School. Students and young graduates always felt he was so easily approachable and they knew that they could rely on his commonsense advice and fairness. Rarely had he to reprove or reprimand his juniors. If he did, it was done straightforwardly without sting or insult and it left no rancour or sense <strong>of</strong> resentment. He, himself, never grumbled or grizzled. He believed that if a man felt things were wrong it was right to say so in good, honest, temperate language and make every endeavour to correct what was wrong; to finish the argument and go on to the next business. As a surgeon he was never dramatic or spectacular. His surgery was based on sound knowledge, acquired by continued study, and on extensive clinical experience.
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