McLachlan, 70, who retires this month after a career of almost 48 years in the same city, remembered his first day in office, which involved the calves castrating.
Tea and toast smoko was served at 10am, at lunchtime, there was soup, a baked meal and pudding, followed by Smoko at 15h.
“Among the times, I did some work. I thought that would be good,” he said.
Bringed on a farm in Leeston, McLachlan has undoubtedly became one of Waimate’s favorite adoptive children, not only for his veterinary skills, but for the contribution of the genius veterinarian to the general community.
He is the Major of the Highland Waimate Pipe Band and his pipe skills are often called. The interest took him abroad and a highlight was to participate in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2003.
“I am known for attending a [vet] I work on my kilt, “he said.
Interest in singing that dates back to primary school when he entered the church corner competitions, later learned from the renowned singing teacher Clifton Cook.
He joined the Waimate Theater Company when he arrived and had several roles, including performing as Javert, the main antagonist, in Leserables productions in Oamaru and Timaru.
Coincidentally, the Waimate veterinary center has become a home for the arts with four musical veterinarians and a dancer. “We have no interviews, we have auditions,” he joked.
McLachlan described his career as “a great journey”.
“I liked it and the camaraderie, working with other people, leaving. You have a difficult day in the office, my preference is a difficult day in the hole.”
Veterinary care was very different from what it was when he started. “We didn’t have all the technology we have today. We were just one step ahead of James Herriot [the legendary Yorkshire vet and author] In some ways, to the point we had for a while. [the housekeeper at Skeldale House] that ran the phones and prepared me the strange meal. “
He had a RT radio, but there were no cell phones or computers and all the accounting was done manually. There was no bureaucracy either, he said.
In recent years, there has been much discussion about stress in the profession. The support was the key to preventing this, Mr. McLachlan believed.
“It’s not a problem when things are doing well [but] Everyone has bad days. It is about enjoying successes and supporting people when the chips are standing as a group. “
There was nothing like the challenge of solving a difficult situation, but conversely, veterinarians were also affected when things were not correct.
“We feel that too, we feel as if the decethms. We don’t live in the perfect world, it’s not like a Toyota where you can simply put a new engine. We do the best we can in circumstances.”
McLachlan was grateful to his wife Kristine, Kristine, and, while working partially in the last 10 years, was eager to play more golf when he completely retired.
A farewell of “Mcvet” will be held at the Waimate clinic on Friday afternoon, a reference to the number plate his wife bought him. “What do you buy a man who has everything?” He said.
Sars.rae@odt.co.nz
