To the residents of Harden Murrumburrah and District:

On a recent holiday to South East Asia and Africa I rekindled my long standing passion and ambition to provide voluntary humanitarian services in the underdeveloped countries. I have been offerred an opportunity to become a part of these services.

The past weeks have been very difficult with deliberations and decision making keeping in mind my professional services to the community for the last 38 years. The recent reward of OAM has made it more difficult.

Over the last ten years I have not been able to successfully obtain a medical practitioner to join, buy or take over the practice.

It is with deep regret and profound sorrow that I let you know that I will cease providing medical services at the end of July 2014. It has been an agonising decision to close the medical centre.

The community of Harden has been very good to me and has embraced me with respect and friendliness.

My patients have been very loyal and I very much respect and honour that. Both Trish and Judy have been loyal honest and hard working and I thank them for that. I am sorry to break our good working bond that has existed for over 35 years. Trish and Judy will assist in sorting out medical records for our patients.

Once again I am very sorry for closing the practice and leaving behind a very loving, loyal and friendly community.

Dr Yusufali Khalfan.