Born in Kenya, his journey began with a privileged upbringing and a strong bond with his African nanny, Ani, who taught him Swahili, providing a unique advantage. 

After medical education in England in 1968, his deep connection to Africa led him back to Kenya, where he practised until 1978. During this period, he had an extraordinary experience working on cruise ships, navigating the East African coast.

“It was a fantastic time,” Dr McCaldin recalled. “The work was very interesting and I was able to exhibit my passion for flying. Back then, having a four-wheel drive wasn't common; instead, you had a private jet.”

In the late seventies, heightened political tensions in Kenya posed challenges for Dr McCaldin. Despite holding Kenyan citizenship, obstacles in registration arose due to his European background.

“While my family decided to relocate to South Africa, my personal experience with apartheid during a six-month stint in St Petersburg led me to choose a different path. 

“I fell in love and married a local Kenyan girl named TJ. Unsure of what to do next, we returned to London, where I worked locums.”

A turning point came when Dr McCaldin received a call about a cadet training ship in need of a doctor. Opting to join with his wife, they spent a year at the Eastern Academy, training Pakistan Naval Cadets. They travelled all over the world, including Europe and Russia.

“At the end of that year, we disembarked at Sydney and travelled around New South Wales. We eventually landed in Camden, a small farming community outside Sydney,” Mr McAldin continued. 

“There, we found a cottage hospital and inquired about the need for doctors. They welcomed us with open arms, and I established a general practice.”

However, economic challenges in the late eighties led to the sale of their well-established practice. Pondering their next move with three kids, Dr McCaldin recalled attending a medical conference in Port Douglas. Inspired, he called TJ, saying, “Pack your bags; we're moving”. 

“After years of experience in Cairns practices and rural locums, fate took an unexpected turn for me at the age of 75, just as I was considering retirement,” Dr McCaldin continued.  “An old colleague reached out, asking me to cover Saturdays at Port Village Medical Centre.

“I genuinely loved my time in Port Douglas. It brought interactions with interesting people from various walks of life, and camaraderie among doctors was excellent. 

“As I contemplate retirement, there are many things I still want to do, like visiting family in Africa. While I initially hesitated to accept the idea of retirement, I am now a hundred percent certain it's the right choice.”