Scott-Dibben Chemist – a family affair for 45 years
After working as a pharmacy assistant for 12 months, Phil Dibben aged 26 took over the business on May 28th 1976. It was called Kotara Fair Pharmacy at Garden City. The name changed slightly over the years, and has been known as Garden City Pharmacy, Phil Dibben Family Care, Scott-Dibben Amcal Chemist and now Scott-Dibben Chemist. The constants over the last 39 years have been Phil Dibben, his staff, loyal customers, location and innovation.
In the mid 90’s Phil was instrumental in bringing Breath -a -Tech, a revolutionary asthma treatment device to the market. This innovation gained worldwide success, with the devise winning the 1994 Diana Awards. He was also an early technology adopter, launching a fully computerised shop and dispensary in 1984. Phil was also a leading force in the pharmacy industry and was for many years president of the Newcastle and Hunter Valley Pharmacists Association, and in 1992 was elected vice president of The Pharmacy guild of Australia.
Phil is now joined in the pharmacy by daughter Emma Greentree who plays a pivotal role in the business. Like her father, Emma’s focus in on providing the best care and expertise for the customer
“Over the past 40 years Scott-Dibben Chemist has looked after generations of Novocastrian families I’m a Mum now and have 4 energetic boys-I know the importance of having a local pharmacist for support and advice. Many of our customers look to us to help with managing their medication and we also conduct medication home reviews to ensure maximum effectiveness of and safety with medications” says Emma Greentree
When asked about the many milestones and achievements at Westfield throughout the 4 decades Phil sums up as follows:
“I’m proud of the 20 or so pharmacists and 200 pharmacy assistants we have trained over the period and the innovations we’ve brought to the industry. Every 7 years we do a major revamp to ensure we are adapting to and anticipating an ever changing landscape. Our key to success is largely due to the dynamic team of 4 pharmacists and 30 customer support staff. We are very much a family affair with several staff clocking up several decades with Scott-Dibben. We also see generation after generation of families coming into the pharmacy seeking our advice”
When asked about the future Phil says
“We are focused on today’s community health challenges such as diabetes and sleep apnoea. We can make a real difference in improving health outcomes and of course working on preventable measures. We’ll keep on doing what we do best-offering care and expertise since 1976”
