Town Chiropractor hands over to former star pupil.

Carmen Braidwood July 2012

After 32 years in the Toodyay community and a career spanning half a century, Chiropractor Bob Mattin, 75, is handing over his practice to his former student, Dr Ryan Lamp, 37.

Dr Mattin, has been practicing from the former Nurses’ quarters, behind the historic Old Toodyay Hospital, which is also his home, since 1979.

He and his wife Lynette, a former naturopath, are planning to spend some time living near their adult sons, “First we’ll live in Melbourne, near Andrew who’s an orthopedic surgeon. Then we’ll head to San Francisco where our other son, Bradford is living”.

Dr Mattin denies this is his ‘retirement’, “Oh no, I’ll keep working as we travel. I’ll do some clinician work as it comes up.”

He also plans to return to Toodyay, “I’ve been involved in so much here, from the historic society and the Masonic Lodge, to Golf and the Tennis Club. Toodyay is home.”

This month, Dr Lamp will continue to see patients at the same rooms.

Dr Mattin says Dr Lamp has filled in at the clinic before and was his first choice to take over. “Ryan was one of the first students to study chiropractic under me at Murdoch University. He was one of the best and has been practicing now for some time, that’s why I asked him up to Toodyay”.

Dr Lamp, who already runs two practices in Perth, says he was honoured by Dr Mattin’s request, “Bob is one of the most respected chiropractors in the state, I couldn’t say no”.

Dr Lamp says he already spends plenty of time in Toodyay, “My parents, Graham and Kathy Lamp lived here for many years and now my two sisters are raising their families here. This will be another reason for my son and me to visit!”

Dr Lamp’s brother-in-law is local builder, Rod Evans, a descendant of the historic Ellery family – founding residents of the Toodyay townsite.

Dr Mattin and his wife are preparing to rent out the restored 1895 Hospital while they’re away, “In the past we’ve rented it to friends who are building or the like, so when we find someone who’ll love it as much as we do, we’ll hand it over for a time”.

Dr Mattin says that while he knows the clinic will be in good hands with Dr Lamp, he leaves with a touch of sadness, “My patients are more like my friends. I’ll come back and retire in Toodyay for sure”.

Dr Lamp begins work at Toodyay Chiropractic on July 2.