Dr Brian Morton Eulogy

Former AMA (NSW) president and GP Dr Brian Morton was a force to be reckoned with – a passionate man with time – and kindness – for all. AMA (NSW) Chief Executive Officer Fiona Davies gave this eulogy at his recent funeral.

It is my great honour to be invited by Anne, Kate and Nikola to speak today on behalf of the Australian Medical Association. I am speaking today on behalf of so many members of the AMA family, including current and former presidents, former CEOs and councillors who are here today.

I am also representing the many members and office bearers from across Australia who could not be here today, but who have specifically asked that I pass on their love for Brian and their sadness at his passing.

I first met Brian in his Division of General practice days. I am embarrassed to say that I was supporting a doctor who had taken exception to the Division wanting to amend their industrial agreement to provide paid maternity leave to the Division staff.

The member was concerned that this arrangement may spread to private practice. I recall my involvement did not go well – and, to be honest, it should not have – but I remember the quiet professionalism and calm of the chair of the Division, Brian Morton.

Thankfully, when Brian was finally dragged or cajoled by Robyn Napier into joining AMA (NSW) Council in 1999, he did not seem to hold our first meeting against me.

Brian’s elevation through Council was swift and inevitable. He served as chair of Medical Practice Committee, treasurer, vice president and president.

In his citation for his AMA (NSW) President’s Award bestowed in 2004, Brian’s expert management as treasurer and board member was credited with allowing AMA (NSW) to purchase our holding in AMA House debt free. I suspect should Brian be here, he would point out a number of other board members who probably also played their part in that achievement.

While Brian may have been given the credit for financial oversight, his real love and skill was in advocacy.

My husband, the other Brian (Owler), and I were talking about the absolute joy Brian got out of being at the front line of representing the medical profession.

The tributes that have poured in since Brian’s passing have highlighted how many parts of the medical profession he touched and what a lasting contribution he made – from former Chief Medical Officer, Dr Graham Killer, Brian’s dedication to veterans and his years and years serving on the DVA advisory council.

Dr Jeremy McAnulty and Dr Kerry Chant, from NSW Health, reminded me that Brian was responsible for the design of the public health alerts issued by NSW Health to this day, Brian encouraged a simple one-page format with three key messages, perfect for both fax and email. So simple, so practical and so effective.

Medicines Australia highlighted the many years he had spent on the Medicine Australia advisory committee and the calm and ethical approach he took to the role.

The Medical Council of NSW, where he served as the AMA NSW nominee for six years, sent tributes to his skill, compassion and wisdom. As Antonio has talked about, he was a respected member of the Professional Services Review.

The theme which united all his work was his love for the profession, his incredible ethical standards and his belief in contributing to make things better.

While Brian contributed to many organisations, I can say with some confidence that his true love was his work with the AMA and that is where he made such a lasting difference to the medical profession and the public.

Brian become president of AMA (NSW) in May 2008, a famously turbulent time in health politics.

The Garling Report was released in November 2008 and the Rudd Government Health and Hospital Reform process was in full swing.

Health was everywhere. And so was Brian. He was a natural media performer and for many years, you could not turn on the TV or listen to the radio without seeing him.

In fact, it has only been recently that any story about general practice did not have an overlay of Brian and his practice.

There was no topic Brian could not – or would not – talk about. One of his more unusual claims to fame is that he was threatened with legal action by the makers of a shape wear company when Brian suggested that there might be some health issues associated with excessively constricting underwear. Luckily for us all, the threat was not followed through on.

While his state presidency was exceptional, his reputation as a skilled, wise and fierce advocate was cemented on the Federal political stage.

Most state presidents served on Federal Council during their presidency, but Brian signed up to the Canberra tour of duty as vice president and stayed on after his presidency for many years as the chair of the Council of General Practice.

I would watch Brian at AMA Federal Council, then a pretty rough arena. Councillors would wait to hear what Brian would have to say about issues.

He could persuade and influence and, when necessary, when the independence of the profession or his beloved general practice was threatened, he would fire up and unleash and everyone would sit back and wonder what just happened.

Brian never, ever allowed general practice to be talked down. He saw general practice as the absolute equal to any speciality and he made sure everyone else knew that. He was absolutely committed to his practice and his patients and this showed in everything he did.

There are so many wins Brian achieved but the biggest and most important one was the fight against the GP co-payment.

The year was 2015, Brian Owler was the federal president of the AMA.

Brian Morton was CGP chair – two red-headed Brians, one a neurosurgeon one a GP.

The policy, which would have imposed a $7 fee on every general practice consultation, was announced out of nowhere in the budget.

For many in general practice, the co-payment seemed attractive. General practice had been underfunded and unvalued for decades and many saw the co-payment as a potential source of funding.

What both Brians saw was an attack on those most vulnerable patients who needed general practice and would ration their access to care. Equally, they saw the co-payment as a threat to the independence and viability of general practice.

As a GP, Brian Morton knew that the $7 would not be a floor price, it would become a ceiling, trapping general practice into an impossible billing model.

Brian was the face of general practice during the campaign. He stood his ground during the toughest of meetings and never backed down, all the time with the small twinkle in his eye that told you he was loving every minute of the fight.

Brian’s passion for the profession did not dim with the years. When the first COVID vaccines became available, he called me and he said general practice must lead the way on this.

At a time when so many were scared or happy to leave it to others, Brian charged on in, setting up a vaccination centre at his Northbridge practice and filming it all for the ABC. We were fortunate to have also taken photos that day and it has brought so much joy and comfort to see Brian in those photos, ever the incredible GP, striving for his patients.

Over the many years and many conversations I had with Brian, he would always come to his absolute love for his family, for Anne, Kate and Nikola and his beloved grandchildren, Kate and Nicola. He was so proud of you both and he always talked about your achievements.

On behalf of your AMA family, I wanted to thank you all for the gift of Brian and the support you gave him to do the incredible work he did.

Brian was loved and respected and he will always remain a treasured part of the AMA, as will all of you.