Dr O'Sullivan, who rose from an inauspicious start to life and a somewhat ignominious beginning to his academic career to establish a successful general practice, to inspire a series of innovative responses to serious health and social issues in his adopted community and nationally, and whose accolades include the title of New Zealander of the year 2014, told Thursday evening's gathering that he regarded himself as privileged to live in Kaitaia, and that he had received as much from the community as he had contributed to it.
That contribution continued with the publication of his biography, all royalties going to the MOKO Foundation that he established as a response to the very Far North's high rate of rheumatic fever but has since expanded its role into supporting and encouraging the children, youth and whanau of the Far North, Northland and New Zealand.
Marston Moor donated $10 for every book sold on Thursday evening to the foundation, along with proceeds from tickets to the function.
And Mrs Walker had no doubt that the book's success would continue for some time.
"It's a great read," she said, "an inspirational book that we all should read."