ESTEEMED Frankston doctor Clive Bennetts prescribes two things for longevity: pick the right parents and don’t smoke.

The Beach St GP - who established his practice in 1962 - is celebrating 50 years of service.

And the vivacious 76-year-old said he had no plans to retire soon.

“As long as your brain is working, you keep up to date with technology and continue medical education, there’s nothing stopping you,” Dr Bennetts said.

“I promised myself three things: I must be in good health, feel wanted and enjoy my job.

“There’s no point doing it any more otherwise.”

Born in Bendigo and raised in Williamstown, Dr Bennetts spent 15 years in obstetrics, delivering more than 1000 babies.

“God has been delivering babies longer than I have; I just sit back and catch them,” he joked.

But, he said, he always knew his passion was to be a family doctor.

After graduating from Melbourne University, he began searching for the perfect location to open a practice.

Enter Frankston.

“I read an article about AV Jennings opening a sub-division in Karingal and I thought, ‘That’s where I’ll go’,” he said.

“I wanted to have a life other than medicine and Frankston was a beautiful little boutique town back in the ‘60s.

“I didn’t want them to build a shopping centre here, it has lost its charm.”

A grandfather of six, Dr Bennetts said that despite being disappointed in some of the city’s changes, he loves his town.

“We have an excellent locum service and a first-class ambulance service.

“I also think Frankston Hospital is fantastic.”

Dr Bennetts will be holding a dinner with friends, family and patients in February to celebrate.

“Doctors used to say if you take off your tie it means retirement is near.

“I took my tie off at 65 and I’m not ready to give up yet.”

Excerpt from:
Vivacity is the best medicine in Frankston