Old Boy Dr Bob Ayres (1966) has been named Toowoomba’s Citizen of the Year, in recognition of his dedicated work as a cardiologist in the region. Bob was humbled and honoured to receive the award and says he accepted it on behalf of the region’s medical staff who had built a local cardiac service that was second to none in Queensland. All cardiac procedures can now be performed locally which means greater continuity of care and a markedly reduced need to travel to Brisbane, other than for cardiac surgery. One of Bob’s proudest achievements is establishing an annual Toowoomba Cardiology Meeting in 2003 to provide cardiology professional development, often attracting more than 100 GPs and specialists from across the region and southwest Queensland.

From Toobeah, west of Goondiwindi, Bob attended Toowoomba Prep for primary school before commencing year 9 (sub-junior) at Churchie. Most notably in his senior year, he was a Prefect, Captain of Goodwin House, Vice-Captain of Boats and a member of the First VIII. He also participated in Rugby, Lifesaving and Cadets.

After an inauspicious academic performance at Churchie, he worked for five years before firstly studying veterinary science at the University of Queensland and medicine at Flinders University, specialising in cardiology. After stints working in Papua New Guinea and the USA, Bob and his wife Sue settled in Toowoomba in 1993 where he was the first and only cardiologist west of Brisbane. There are now 15 cardiologists in the region. After 27 years in practice, Bob retired in 2020. “Working in a regional centre like Toowoomba is very different as the patients become like friends, especially as we have a shared rural background.”

Congratulations Bob!