Long term PSWA member awarded OAM

PSWA congratulates Philip Ledger on being awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to pharmacy and the community.

To find out a bit more about Philip and his journey in pharmacy and serving the community, we asked him a few questions.

1.     What led you to a career in Pharmacy?

The Pharmacy Council of WA ran an exam for their entrance. This was thought to be good practice before the Matriculation examination for entry into the University of WA. Whilst I passed both, the Pharmacy career seemed more attractive to me.

2. What challenges have you faced in your Pharmacy career?

My first major employment was with Ken Hurst, the founder of Pharmacy 777. I was Ken’s first permanent pharmacist from my recollection, and I stayed for some months. I had previously worked for Bott’s 24 Hour Drive-in in Bentley. We slept on the premises there with a bell above the bed to wake us up by a customer at the door who might be looking for a dummy or some other non-essential item. Grrr!

My first pharmacy owned was in Kellerberrin in the early 1970s and in about 1979 there was a drought which caused great consternation to the area and my pharmacy. It was a great pharmacy with a very active surgery close-by that included a qualified surgeon from England, very unusual to have one of those in a country town in those days.

I then had a few pharmacies through Perth, including Applecross, Marmion, Carine, and Duncraig. My pharmacist son, Nathan, partnered me with the last three. Nathan and I then became involved with a few pharmacies in NSW and Canberra which were interesting.

3. What has been the most rewarding aspect of your pharmacy journey?

Being involved face to face with people who need some help and advice and respond positively to what we have to offer. Pharmacists are a valued and well used professional link due to the assistance and expertise they offer.

4. What are you most proud of in terms of your service to the community?

I have been heavily involved with Rotary for over 50 years which has offered me the chance to improve health issues and misunderstandings throughout the World. During this time I have been a Club President four times, a District Governor and other International tasks that hopefully have improved international understanding and advancement on many fronts.

This included leading a Group Study Exchange to Turkey in 1986 for two months that helped me understand in greater depth the problems that we have internationally and how we may be able to assist.

5. Do you have a word of wisdom for those beginning a pharmacy journey?

Sure, there is plenty out there to embrace and your pharmacy qualification and enthusiasm will open plenty of doors. Take care when choosing your direction and make sure you seek experienced and trusted legal advice for all commercial decisions.