“I had some very important messages that I wanted to share with others,” Dr Kalokerinos said when asked why he decided to write an autobiography.

Dr Kalokerinos has formulated groundbreaking insights into Aboriginal health and conditions such as cot death, sore ears in children, and shaken babies. He was also named the Greek Australian of the Century.

“Medical Pioneer of the 20th Century” is not really a story about one man; it is about what is achieved when people pool together their many skills. All the events unfold in Tamworth and the North West.

“I wanted to call it Rebel Doctor but the publishers wouldn’t let me,” Dr Kalokerinos said

“Another publishing company wouldn’t publish it because they didn’t believe a word in it. They didn’t think one person could experience so much.”

Dr Kalokerinos spent most of his life in the region. He was born in Glen Innes and worked in Collarenebri for 20 years, in Bingara for 10 years and has lived in Tamworth for nine years.

The book also shows that doctors in country towns can make a huge difference to the health of that community.

“You are much more likely to make progress in your field in the country.”

He also stressed that his achievements would not have been possible without the support he received from the Tamworth community and the base hospital.

The next challenge for Dr Kalokerinos is to continue his research on shaken babies, an area in which he has already made rapid progress.