The town went without doctors for weeks at the beginning of the year after the Jamieson Medical Clinic closed its operation on December 23, 2016.

After appealing for a new operator, in February Warrnambool Medical Clinic announced it would trial a part-time service.

The clinic’s practice manager Alistair Ross said two doctors were working in Mortlake and things were looking good.

“Initially when we got involved, it was outside our comfort zone,” he said. “I know we live in an era of people driving and travelling distances for services, but to not have a medical service in a community which is still large enough like Mortlake and surrounds was a problem.

“Even though it was only a few weeks, people sorely missed the service.”

Mr Ross said the community had warmly welcomed the doctors and support was crucial for the service to remain financially viable.

“That’s not our only concern,” he said. “Our concern is to maintain health services for those a bit travel disadvantaged.”