Efforts to find fisher are praised
THE heartbroken partner of a missing Atherton doctor has thanked people involved in search efforts off the Far North coast.
Kirsten Miller yesterday released a favourite photo of Dr Richard Thomas (above), describing the 55-year-old as a man who did everything with incredible energy and enthusiasm.
The Atherton Hospital senior medical officer left home last Tuesday with plans of heading to the Reef from Mourilyan Harbour. His boat was found unattended at the mouth of the Johnstone River.
Despite an extensive sea and air search encompassing a 75km stretch of coastline, Dr Thomas has yet to be found.
Atherton Hospital medical superintendent Dr Liz Hawkins said Dr Thomas was a respected and thorough health professional.
“He will always go that extra mile for his patients and his team (and) I think his patients would also say that he is gentle and kind,” she said.
“He is a private person but a wonderful team member. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”
A former New Zealand native, Dr Thomas graduated from the University of Auckland before crossing the ditch and meeting his partner Ms Miller in Cairns in 1997.
The father-of-two began work at the hospital in 2008 after spells working in remote Kimberley, Arnhem Land and Solomon Islands communities.
Ms Miller, heartbroken by her partner’s disappearance, paid tribute to members of the Coconuts Outrigger Canoe Club who raised the alarm and the Innisfail CIB who handled the situation with sensitivity.
A keen fisherman and fanatical mountain bike rider, Dr Thomas has two teenage children and a partner of 23 years.