James Rowe donated the medical bag and implements used by his father, Dr Charles Rowe, to the Young Historical Society earlier this year.

Dr Rowe practiced in Young between 1948 and 1970.

Charles Rowe was born in Mosman on 31st May 1918 to Patrick and Letitia Rowe, along with his twin brother Richard.

He attended the Marist Brothers school at Mosman before going to St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, for his secondary education.

Rowe then studied medicine at Sydney University.

When he graduated in 1942, he worked at Lewisham Hospital, where he became a medical superintendent.

He married June Bremmer at St Joseph’s, Neutral Bay, in 1943.

Rowe then served as a medical officer for three years with the RAAF, serving overseas for one year.

After his discharge, he worked for Dr Bertram Cook at Bulli, which led to him meeting Dr Wilfred Cook and then to purchasing Cook’s practice at Young in August 1948.

Rowe always remembered his first maternity case in Young, which was on 24th August, just before Cook left.

The mother was Mrs Florence Hardy of Wambanumba.

‘As Dr Rowe drove to the hospital, Young’s southern half was being covered with inches of snow making the area beautiful.’

The baby became Mrs Robyn McDonald, who later worked as a nursing aid at Mercy Hospital.

Rowe served as an Alderman on Young Shire Council from 1950 to '56 and was Deputy Mayor in 1956.

He chose not to stand for re-election on 1st December 1956.

That year, he assisted in the formation of, and advised, Alcoholics Anonymous at Young and in surrounding towns.

Rowe was also active in the Young Pony Club, Picnic Race Club, Parish Ball Committee, Road Safety Council, Riverine University College movement, Riverina Region Advisory Council and other organisations.

He was also a Government Medical Officer.

Rowe was the first president of the Young branch of the National Catholic Rural Movement and of the Young Rural Credit Union, and a member of the National Civic Council.

He was a candidate for the Federal seat of Hume at the 1961 election, representing the Democratic Labor Party (DLP) but was not successful.

Dr Charles Rowe was joined in his practice by Dr Mullany before returning to Sydney in 1970 to retire.

He and his family made several return trips to Young before his death in 1975.

A memorial service was held in St Mary’s Church, Young, on Thursday 30th October.

His widow, June, wrote a ‘special thank you’ in the Young Witness to the organisers and people who attended the memorial service and also wrote a personal letter to Monsignor Weissel.

Karen Schamberger - Young Historical Society