Last week came the news that Dr Ralph Peters, believed to be Australia’s oldest practising GP, was retiring.

In this interview with Australian Doctor, he explains the reasons for his ‘reluctant’ decision, his continued passion for his specialty and the medical breakthrough of the last 60 years that had the greatest impact on his patient care.  

It probably surprises no one who knows Dr Peters that he headed straight for his medical books after retiring last month.

Aged 92, he stepped away from his practice after 51 years caring for the people of New Norfolk, a town 32km north-west of Hobart.