Dr Cecil ‘Cec’ Walters

The man behind the name Dr Cecil ‘Cec’ Walters, Prince Henry Hospital's former "marathon" medical superintendent and high-profile industry expert on infectious diseases.

Randwick Council determined to honour long serving local Doctor Cec Walters with the naming of ‘Dr Walters Park’ in the newly formed suburb of Chifley (south Matraville) in early 1960. Below is the story of the man behind the park’s name.

Dr Cecil Julian Manning Walters was the son of a sawmiller and could expertly crack a whip at the tender age of 14. His love of animals and academic ability saw him enrol in veterinary studies. Dr Walters was one of the first graduates of the Veterinary School at University of Sydney in 1914. He quickly enlisted for military service in the 5th Australian Mobile Veterinary Section 1914-1918 where in March 1917 he was ‘mentioned in dispatches’ and was recommended for honours. (See his entry from the Honour Roll, Australia War Memorial, March 1917). Cecil achieved the final rank of Captain in this veterinary phase of his career.

It was his experiences in the ‘war to end all wars’ that led Dr Walters to retrain as a doctor - completing his medical degree in three years. His first medical posting was at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown. After 18 months at this posting, he switched to Prince Henry Hospital, then still known as 'The Coast Hospital' at Little Bay.  Dr Walters spent 36 years working at Prince Henry Hospital. 23 years of these were as the medical superintendent of the hospital. Dr Walters became a noted authority and spokesmen on infectious diseases and was a reassuring presence in times of endemic outbreaks of Hepatitis and other specialist areas of medicine that Prince Henry became a leader in infection management. He lived in a cottage in the grounds of hospital where he was often called from his sleep in the middle of the night to attend to patients, including sick inmates of the nearby Long Bay Gaol. It is said that he helped train more than 4000 nurses and over 200 doctors in his time overseeing the operation of the hospital. He retired in late 1959.

When told of Council's intention to name a park after him, Dr Walters said, "Good gracious, are they going to name a park after me?" said Dr Walters when told of the Council's intention this week..."Nothing has ever been called after me before, but ... I've been called after a few things," he said.

Despite Dr Walters modesty, it was Council's intention at the time to honour his enormous contribution to the local community and to recognise his medical and military service. ‘The Council hopes this will remind present and future generations of Dr Walters' work in his 36 years at Prince Henry Hospital.’ The park was dedicated in the latter half of 1960.

The picture shows them admiring the tea and coffee service presented to Dr Walters when he retired from the hospital. (Randwick City Library, RMC Clippings Books Vol October 1959- August 1961)