Community & Business
16 October, 2025
Farewell to Gil's physiotherapist, David Cross
Long-serving physiotherapist David Cross, has retired after almost 40 years of dedicated service.
Friends, colleagues, and former patients gathered at the Royal Hotel on Saturday, September 27, to celebrate the remarkable career of long-serving physiotherapist David Cross, who has retired after almost 40 years of dedicated service to the Gilgandra community and the wider western region.
Sheree Staggs addressed the luncheon, sharing highlights from David’s career and his lasting impact on both patients and peers.
David first began working in Gilgandra in 1985, as part of a one-day-a-week placement during his postgraduate studies in Dubbo. The experience of working across Dubbo, Gilgandra, and surrounding towns proved to be a positive contrast to his earlier time at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital, where he and other students faced far less welcoming conditions. That experience, Sheree noted, helped shape David’s commitment to mentoring students with empathy and respect.
Over the years, David became a pivotal figure in physiotherapy training, guiding students from across Australia and even from overseas including Holland and Finland. He showed many city-based students that rural health work is neither slow nor limited, but deeply rewarding and far-reaching.
Only three months into his Dubbo rotation, David was asked to take charge, quickly becoming acting physiotherapy advisor for the Orana and Far West region. In 1991, he joined the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, where he continues to serve today. Sheree commented that they believe he could be the longest served board member.
His career has taken him from Gilgandra, Dubbo, and Warren to Trangie, Nyngan, Cobar, and even overseas to the UK and Russia, as well as serving as a physiotherapist at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. David returned to Gilgandra permanently in 1996, shortly after undergoing emergency brain surgery. He has often credited the supportive and close-knit working environment in Gilgandra as being instrumental in his recovery and continued success.
Sheree also reflected on her own experiences working alongside David at Gilgandra Multi-Purpose Service.
“Back in 2006, when I returned from Dubbo Base ED, I was full of confidence and focused on moving patients through quickly,” she said. “But every time I thought someone was ready for discharge, along would come Dr David saying they weren’t ready yet. At the time, I found it frustrating but over the years, I’ve come to respect how he always put his patients first. Seeing David and others stand up for their patients has made me a better nurse.”
Sheree, who was recently a patient herself, also shared her gratitude for David’s skill and care. “How lucky has the Gilgandra community been to have such a skilled and dedicated physio for 40 years?” she said.
The gathering ended with a toast to David’s retirement and a small gift to mark the next chapter in his life. Friends wished him a happy and stress-free move to his new home in Dubbo and many enjoyable hours in the garden.
“David, we wish you all the best in your retirement,” Sheree said. “Please stay in touch - we will miss you.”
