Rural GP enriched me and so many others

GEOFFREY Trezise was the quintessential country GP.

He was a gentle, caring man who took a genuine interest in his patients and he had a great sense of humour.

Dr Trezise died this week at age 85 and the northern Tasmanian town of Westbury, where he worked for 28 years before his retirement in 2007, is in mourning.

When he retired in 2007, I wanted to write an article about his years as a country GP. I was working for the Launceston Examiner at the time and thought it was a perfect story for our Sunday magazine.

I contacted Dr Trezise but he didn’t share my enthusiasm and politely declined.

With the help of his receptionist of 20 years — who was handing out tissues to teary patients in the lead-up to their beloved doctor’s retirement — I persuaded him to change his mind.

I really enjoyed interviewing the man who had “interviewed” me about my health concerns over the years. I enjoyed hearing his stories and learning more about him.

He told me he trained in Melbourne and moved to Tasmania to work at the Launceston General Hospital.

“I came for three years and stayed on,” he said.

He met Gay, whom he married about 60 years go, while working in Launceston and when the Westbury general practice came up for sale, he saw it as an opportunity.

At first the surgery was at his Lonsdale Promenade home, and from 1988 he had a surgery on the Meander Valley Rd.

He told me he had many memories, both happy and sad, about the people he treated over the years.

“You really get to know the people very well … it’s very rewarding.”

He also told me he thought it a pity more young doctors weren’t attracted to rural practice. He said many did not see the good sides of country work.

“It’s a satisfying way to work, I think.”

On the day the story was published he called me. Thoughts of his initial apprehension sent a bolt of fear through me — what if I hadn’t done the story justice and he regretted agreeing to it? My fears were unfounded — he was ringing to thank me and tell me he loved the article.

About five years earlier I had told Dr Trezise I was moving to Hobart to study journalism.

He was very excited for me, and I remember him saying I could be the next Geraldine Doogue.

I was one of many patients he saw grow up and enter the world. He also saw many leave the world, my grandparents included.

When news of Dr Trezise’s recent disappearance spread, locals offered to help the police search. Others were teary as they spoke of him and their memories of him.

Mrs Trezise said she was grateful for the support of the community, which rallied from the moment her husband was reported missing.