The Inaugural Hinchley Award
The Hinchley Award - an acquisitive prize of $1000 is awarded to the work selected by an independent judge as the best entered in all categories of the Art Show. The award honours the generous encouragement given local artists by Dr. Alister Hinchley during his fifty-two year residence in Dimboola. He was widely known for his friendly nature, his strong commitment to improved medical care within the community and his love of art and the local environment.
Alister Hinchley arrived in Dimboola with his family in 1939. He had been educated in his birthplace of Wangaratta where his father managed the local hospital and then attended Melbourne University where he graduated in Medicine in 1929. Between practices in Adelaide and Western Australia, he furthered his medical education in England. The Doc’s arrival in Dimboola with wife, Maud, and two children, Catherine and Peter, was the beginning of a long and heartfelt relationship with the local community – one characterised by good humour, diligence, dedication and respect. He was forever seeking means of improving hospital and medical services within the community and his commitment enveloped all, particularly those confronting special difficulties such as the families of men serving in WW2 and then the men when they returned.
He built a strong relationship with the local Indigenous community through his visits and work with the Save the Children Fund. The honours bestowed upon him were indicative of the esteem in which he was held. In 1972 the Aged Care wing of the Dimboola Hospital was named in his honour; he was awarded the St. John’s Medal in 1974; Life Membership of the Dimboola Football Club; Life Governorship of the Dimboola Hospital Committee in 1976; and an M.B.E. in 1979. In addition to his long hours [and years] of medical service and his involvement in a wide range of community organizations, Dr. Hinchley developed a keen interest in the local environment and a love of representing it in his artwork.
He could be regularly seen out sketching in the bush or along the river and there are many local homes and businesses whose walls are adorned with the resulting sketches, watercolours or linocuts. What is more he was forever offering encouragement to other local artists. In 1991 Dr. Hinchley died in the hospital and community that he had served so generously for fifty years.
Alister Hinchley arrived in Dimboola with his family in 1939. He had been educated in his birthplace of Wangaratta where his father managed the local hospital and then attended Melbourne University where he graduated in Medicine in 1929. Between practices in Adelaide and Western Australia, he furthered his medical education in England. The Doc’s arrival in Dimboola with wife, Maud, and two children, Catherine and Peter, was the beginning of a long and heartfelt relationship with the local community – one characterised by good humour, diligence, dedication and respect. He was forever seeking means of improving hospital and medical services within the community and his commitment enveloped all, particularly those confronting special difficulties such as the families of men serving in WW2 and then the men when they returned.
He built a strong relationship with the local Indigenous community through his visits and work with the Save the Children Fund. The honours bestowed upon him were indicative of the esteem in which he was held. In 1972 the Aged Care wing of the Dimboola Hospital was named in his honour; he was awarded the St. John’s Medal in 1974; Life Membership of the Dimboola Football Club; Life Governorship of the Dimboola Hospital Committee in 1976; and an M.B.E. in 1979. In addition to his long hours [and years] of medical service and his involvement in a wide range of community organizations, Dr. Hinchley developed a keen interest in the local environment and a love of representing it in his artwork.
He could be regularly seen out sketching in the bush or along the river and there are many local homes and businesses whose walls are adorned with the resulting sketches, watercolours or linocuts. What is more he was forever offering encouragement to other local artists. In 1991 Dr. Hinchley died in the hospital and community that he had served so generously for fifty years.