Becoming enchanted with the dermatology speciality, Mr Gebauer (right) has dedicated his life to helping others in a number of different ways, including as the director of Fremantle Dermatology and Rockingham Dermatology, working at the Fremantle Hospital and Mt Lawley Private Hospital and giving back as a trainee mentor at the West Australian College of Dermatology.
He said there was a perception that doctors chose their speciality, but dermatology chose him.
“I absolutely love what I do and I have no intention of retiring until I am forced to do so,” he said.
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He also has another love in hockey, and was named a life member of the Old Aquinians Hockey Club in 2009 after years of dedication to the club.
Mr Gebauer was among hundreds of Australians recognised on the Queens Birthday Honours List, receiving a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to medicine and hockey.
He said receiving the OAM came as a complete surprise.
“I still don’t know who nominated me for this highly prestigious award, but I am deeply grateful and honoured to be considered for anything like this,” he said.
“I am a strong believer that people who volunteer their time, their efforts and expertise for the benefit of their community should be acknowledged for their effort and their personal sacrifices.
“For this reason I believe that this award is more for my commitment to sport in the field of hockey than my personal professional life in medicine.
“Dermatology is what I do and what I am but the sport of hockey is probably where I have made the greatest personal sacrifices in terms of volunteering time, effort and energy to achieve outcomes.”
East Fremantle’s Madeline Dawn Butterworth was also recognised, appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished services to early childhood education, to learning programs for indigenous youth and as an advocate for the health and wellbeing of children.