45


Peter


He used to spend his days saving lives in the operating theatre; now Peter Goldstraw spends his time raising money to save lives in countries affected by natural disasters, war and famine. The ex-surgeon took over the role of 2018/19 Dartmouth Rotary President this summer, Steph Woolvin asked him what he hopes to achieve during his year in office…


F


rom his beautiful house on Ridge Hill, Peter can look out over the


town, which he and wife Denise decided to retire to eight years ago. He says as they both love boats he knew it was the right place to come and play after a challenging 40-year medical career. He threw himself straight into community life joining the orchard team; helping maintain the trees and organising apple pressing events. He joined the Rotary in June 2013 and says he was impressed by the concept: “Having lived in big cities all my life I was very taken by the community atmosphere here. People regularly meet to find local and international projects that need supporting and then raise money - I think it’s terrific!” Since then Peter has been involved in Know your Blood Pressure Day, the Young Chef and Youth Speaks events and has served as Youth Services Officer. He took over the top job in July


and from the outset he has been keen to remind people that as well as supporting overseas projects, Rotary also helps many initiatives a little closer to home such as Dartmouth Caring, the food bank, and local schools. “We regularly ask members to roll up their sleeves


and get hands-on with projects like painting the outdoor swimming pool. We also do a lot of youth based activities – mock interviews, youth photography competitions and we get young people to team up with professional chefs during the food festival cookery competition.” Members of Rotary regularly go into Dartmouth Academy to act as


Having lived in big cities all my life I


was very taken by the community atmosphere here.


‘reading buddies’. “We have provided money for audio books, headphones and e readers (handheld devices on which electronic versions of books can be read). This has all helped improve the reading ages of students. We chat and read with them and as most of us are over 60 we are like honorary grandads!” There are 10 Rotarians that volunteer for the scheme and all have to be DBS checked (Disclosure and Barring Service). “I’m sure we all feel younger for it,” Peter says with a smile! “I have learnt a lot about what young people are into! Rainbow


Magic Fairy and David Walliams books are popular in class. It helps me look like a cool grandad as I can impress my own grandchildren with my new found knowledge!” Before coming to Dartmouth,


Peter spent his life in hospital theatres. He trained for six years at Birmingham University and went on to hold various specialist training posts around Britain and South Africa. He was appointed Consultant Thoracic Surgeon to the Royal Brompton Hospital in 1979 operating on all organs in the chest area except for the heart. “I worked in quite a specialised field and our unit would take on cases which had been refused by other hospitals. I often came across new and challenging problems from various cancers to blocked airways. There could often be three specialist surgeons in the room at the same time. One would remove, lets say, the throat cancer, I would replace the air way and it was the third person’s job to do reconstructive surgery. I’d love watching others work and learn new skills.” He says it was a taxing job on both the body and brain and if he let his mind dwell too much on mortality then things could get bleak. “You have


Goldstraw


Retired Surgeon and Dartmouth Rotary President


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132