Cecil Mead achieved outstanding success academically, musically and in sporting events. As a medical student he was awarded the first gold medal in surgery ever presented in Australia. Yet he gave up the prospect of promising careers in medicine, sport and music in Australia to go as a missionary doctor to East Bengal (now Bangladesh). After a successful ministry amongst the higher castes, Cecil answered God's call to take his wife and two young daughters to live among and minister to the low-caste Nama Sudras living in the swamps of Bengal. For the tremendous changes he brought to their lives, both practically and spiritually, Cecil was awarded a silver medal by the Viceroy of India.