On interviewing Gary I realised he isn’t, in technical terms, a resident of Maldon. However, I think given Gary has given each of us advice on coughs and colds, sores and nappy rash for quite a few years, we can make an exception.

Gary bought the pharmacy on April Fools’ Day in 2009. He found out about the sale of the pharmacy through his networks and came up to have a look during the Folk Festival in 2008.

“It was a good first impression, such a vibrant town. I’ve never regretted it.”

Gary and I are sitting in the back of the pharmacy for the interview, he never takes a lunch break and informed me that he’s only closed the shop early once, the day his daughter was born. 

“It was 10 years ago and I wrote a note saying due to unforeseen circumstances the shop will be closed for the remainder of the day. And it was unforeseen, because she was born prematurely!”

When I asked how it’s been for Gary during the pandemic he said, “I think there was a lot of responsibility on a pharmacist’s shoulders during that time. It was a little messy to begin with, everything happened at such a fast pace. I didn’t sleep much, it was very stressful, trying to figure out what medications to order and stocking up on hand sanitiser and toilet paper.

“I treated the locals ok at the time, I didn’t snap at them or anything!” Gary laughs. “I remember one  guy came in and was in tears because he couldn’t find any toilet paper, so I gave him two rolls from my personal stash.”

Gary and his wife Ann, who is also a pharmacist, both grew up in Hong Kong. Gary, who had travelled and studied in Australia, said it was brave of Ann to move to a country she’d never been to before. 

Like many others with families overseas, it’s been difficult for Gary and Ann not being able to return and visit their families, particularly as Gary’s father died during the pandemic.

“If we were to go and see my mum and sisters we’d need to quarantine in Hong Kong for 21 days and then another two weeks in Australia. It means five weeks of quarantine which is just not possible.”

Gary doesn’t have much in the way of down time, particularly since he’s opened another pharmacy in Bendigo. He does, however, enjoy taking his one year old golden retriever MoMo for her daily walks and spending time with his 16-year-old son Augustine and 10-year-old daughter Lauren. 

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 29 October 2021.