Popular obstetrician loses long battle with cancer

POPULAR Ballarat obstetrician and gynaecologist Ian Mayes died last Thursday following a long battle with cancer.The 69-year-old retired in June after delivering an impressive 10,708 babies.Born in Brisbane in 1939, Mr Mayes graduated in medicine in 1963.He then worked as a resident and registrar at Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital before relocating to Sydney -where he trained in obstetrics and gynaecology - for three years and later England for another three years.In 1972, Mr Mayes moved to Ballarat and became an assistant obstetrician/gynaecologist at Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital.Last year, he was presented with an award acknowledging his outstanding contribution to rural communities at the Victorian Rural Doctors' Awards.A private funeral service for Mr Mayes was held on Monday.A memorial service will take place at a later date. Mr Mayes is survived by his wife Jayne, his four children Susan, David, Elizabeth and Richard, and his eight grandchildren.