DR HUGH “JOHN” VAN DER POST

My condolences to Michele and family for the devastating loss of such a great man. Kind, compassionate, calm, generous in time and thought. Countless patients and staff have benefited from his care and guidance. I will never forget the morning coffees on the back verandah in Bunbury. Sleep well John. Forever in our hearts and minds with a warm smile.

I am truly shocked and saddened to hear today of the passing of John ‘JvDP’. John was one of the first FACEMs I met when working in Bunbury in 2004. John was one of the most ‘unflappable’, patient, dignified, mild mannered, resourceful, well organised and engaging doctors I ever had the good fortune to meet. He got me on board with work in Albany when FACEMs first started covering there. I will hold John in high regard in my heart and mind. He is a huge loss. Mark Webb (in South Australia)

John you were always a scholar and a gentleman in your dealings with everyone. A great Doctor, a loving husband, father and grandfather. You have left us too early. You will be sorely missed by not only your family but all those who had the good fortune to meet you. Condolences to Michele, Iain, Sarah, Drew. R.I.P. John

Sincere condolences to Michelle and family, John was a wonderful man and an asset to the medical profession. His legacy and commitment to all that worked with him and those he cared for will be well remembered, and it was an honour to have known him.

One of life’s true gentlemen. I was honored to work alongside John and develop Home Link at SCGH to what it is today. John was the best leader and sought funding to build the fabulous facility we still work in today. He was always available when we needed him, always kind and compassionate. My only regret is that we lost touch when he left SCGH. He will never be forgotten, sending condolences to Michelle and the family. Xxx

Michelle and family, our thoughts are with you all during this time. JVP - you certainly left a mark on everyone that you came across. Thank you for being so kind and humble - you touched many peoples lives for the better. May you rest in peace.

A man with qualities described by his family, friends and colleagues leaving all with a profound sense of awe, and loss. Yet we as part of our communities have gained so much more. Grateful for having been on the receiving end of his smile, and at times disagreement as a true gentleman. A person with authenticity, a moral compass and love for his family. What a legacy. Thank you JVP. Our sincere condolences to Michelle, his family and all for whom he has cared so deeply.

A shift alongside JVP was always a great shift. His joie de vivre was infectious to those around him. A brilliant clinician and gentleman. Vale John. Our sincere condolences to your family.

Michelle and family, It was my great pleasure to work with John on and off over twenty years; initially in Bunbury ED and more recently collaborating with Albany ED. He touched many with his work and advocacy for rural health especially in the Emergency Medicine sphere. Rest easy JVP, you will be missed.

My sincere condolences to Michelle and family. John was such a special man who gave so much to so many. He was a ray of light and I will cherish my memories of him.

Our family were shocked and devastated to hear about the tragic and untimely passing of John. It is difficult to process this news, and to understand why a person of such calibre had to be taken so soon and so quickly. John's warmth, wisdom, kindness, wit and genuine good nature will never be forgotten. The world has lost a remarkable human being and he will be greatly missed. Our heartfelt condolences to Michele, Iain, Drew, Sarah and extended family. We wish you all strength and comfort at this unbearably sad time and we send you love as you process the unfathomable reality of losing your beloved John.

John, what a man you were. I was absolutely gutted to hear of your passing. You were such a mentor for me. I loved coming to work knowing you were on shift, I loved learning from you and hearing the many stories you had about your life back in NZ and your love for your garden. John you are going to be so missed. The medical world will not be the same without you. What an honour it was to work beside you. I hope you have all the Louie Vutton you need up there.

JVP your legacy to Emergency Medicine in WA will live long. Your example showed the way for many. I am proud to have been a colleague and friend. Condolences to your family. Garth, Jo and family.

Such a gentleman who I hold in the greatest respect. Sleep peacefully JVP. A huge loss to the World. My deepest condolences to Michele and family.

JVP, one of the most gentle souls that I have been privileged to know. He is always kind, generous and wise. I will miss his candour, insight and great capacity for joy. My thoughts and prayers are with you Michelle and his wonderful family. Rest in Peace John.

Teacher, healer and a respected public servant. Your family must be proud of you. You will be greatly missed in the hospital, JVP. Rest in peace.

Vale John. A great honour to work with you over the years. You were always a good friend, confidante, mentor and a rare source of common sense and enlightenment to me in the crazy world in which we worked. You will be sadly missed by us all, your friendship and example will be remembered forever.

I was lucky to work with John at Telehealth. A wonderful clinician with sage advice and common sense. Always willing to hear my questions. A maker of beautiful gardens. Honest, humble, wise, with a wonderful sense of humor. A great loss to Emergency Medicine. Deepest condolences to the family.

Condolences to Michelle and family. I did my first ever ETS shift with John a number of years ago. From day one, always such a great mentor, colleague and friend. John you will forever be remembered as a true gentleman. Rest in Peace JvP

John, a great friend for many years, unfortunately distances and life circumstances the reunion never happened. Many fond memories from Grey High School and Port Elizabeth.Even more special in Cape Town at UCT and especially Smuts Hall where John was often the magnet of activities. Who can forget the late nights at medical school, preparing for exams, pep talks, John was there. We had a few fun fly fishing trips with the mandatory Toast the Sunrise lest we bring upon ourselves bad luck! I also won't forget our fun trip to visit John and Michele in Bridge of Earn, Scotland with jaunts in the Mini Cooper. I'll always be indebted to you coming over for my wedding in Minneapolis as my best man. Love to you Michele and family, Leda, Chris and Andre. We will miss you, Eric and Tena

Very very sad to hear this news. A well respected Emergency Doctor. Rest peacefully John. Condolences to all of John’s family, friends and colleagues.. Penny and Kim Trueman

Farewell John. I had worked with JVP over the many years at both SCGH and Albany. He was a rare gem. Great sense of humour, great leadership skills, a skilled and compassionate clinician. JVP had such an impact on emergency care delivery in WA, especially rural WA. I am sure I will never meet anyone like John. It has been raining here in Cairns almost non-stop since JVP died, like the tears of many of us. My deepest sympathies to Michelle and all of John's family.

John will always be remembered, as I do the whole family, as being my family having lived with them when I was at school. Thinking of you all as you deal with your loss. Much love Lesley

Our condolences to Michelle and family. I first met JVP when we were "competing" registrars: John from Charlies and I from RPH. We then worked together at Joondalup for a few years before the country beckoned for him. Later on we worked together at Telehealth. Always professional. Always humble. A quick wit. He will be sadly missed. RIP JVP.

Saddened to hear this news. Dr JVP was a wonderful gentleman, and I am glad to have met on a few occasions. Quite memorably, he had a fun and engaging way of imparting clinical knowledge to us nurses (while working within the Western Australia Country Health Service). Remarkably, he was a scholarly learned individual, yet genuinely kind, and full of humility. I will always remember you for wearing the most colourful attire. Inspirational in more ways than one. Sincere condolences to the family. I cannot fathom your loss, yet I know that he will missed by many.

The children still talk about Uncle John and Aunty Michele’s visit. I will never forget the giggles as he chased James around the front garden. You will never be forgotten John. Give Granny ‘Stelle and Grandpa Hughie a big hug from us all

I worked with JVP in many locations over the years but an outstanding memory of JVP's kindness, positivity and willingness to share knowledge was when I worked in the MPS at Gnowangerup. John went over and above to ensure I was supported and to provide education to the nursing staff at the MPS site. He will be missed by so many. Condolences to his family

Truly a privilege to have worked with the great JVP. A true beacon of being a great clinician and navigator of good for patients and colleagues, a real loss to the Emergency Medicine community. RIP

Dear Michele & family, please accept my condolences & sympathies on John's passing. It was an honour to have known & worked with John over many years. With his typical humility, wisdom & generosity he kindly mentored & supported me during my early years as a Specialist in WA. I will never forget his kindness during this time. Latterly, I always enjoyed working with John where he demonstrated exemplary clinical leadership & practice. His erudite & understated humour guided us with positivity through the demanding clinical shifts. John's teachings, mentoring, professionalism & the example he set in his work have left an enormous positive legacy in the practice of Emergency Medicine in WA. This will live on. John, you were the embodiment of a true gentleman. With the deepest sympathies, Dr. Adam Coulson.

John it’s a while since you have been at Middlemore but your distinctive wise and calm manner, genuine laughter and critical thought for all patients at Middlemore in late 90s has left an impression on me as an Emergency Physician. Thanks so much for your support in the early years of Emergency medicine at Middlemore. My thoughts are with your family but know your photo is still on “the Wall” at our Hospital.

So very saddened to be in a world without JVP. I will miss our banter whilst on ETS shifts together and his witty humour that always brightened any day. He had so much to give and there was so much to learn from him. What a wonderful man!

John was one of my elders when I was training at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and always had a kind word or cheeky chuckle to lighten our day. I remember his immaculate writing that reflected his meticulous thinking. I also had the pleasure of working regular Tuesdays with John on ETS for a couple of years and I don't think there will be a Tuesday where I won't feel the void he has left. We miss you John. My deepest condolences to his family.

JVP, it was an absolute pleasure working with you. You were always calm, kind and humorous; and you will be remembered this way by us all at ETS. You are sorely missed already. Sending my love and condolences to the family.

We couldn’t have wished for a more supportive colleague, a more patient teacher, or kinder doctor. John will be missed in so many ways. Much love to John’s family and friends.

I feel privileged to have worked with such a kind, humble and wonderful doctor and human being. He touched so many lives, not only in WA but also overseas. I still can't believe you are no longer with us John. Gone too soon. You will be sorely missed. Sending my love and condolences to his family.

I am totally gutted that JVP has died. It has been such a pleasure to get to know him and work with him on ETS over the last 4 years. So calm, competent and super funny. I have loved every one of our interactions without exception. He will be missed so very much. All my love to his family and a sincere thank you to you all for letting us have him as part of the work family.

So saddened to hear of the untimely passing of such a wonderful chap. I have only known John for 9 years, but what an impact he had on my career as an Emergency Nurse Practitioner. He was such a proponent for another sensible model of care, and a great mentor. I simply loved working with him in Albany ED and Emergency Telehealth. To watch him interact with patients and the family was a real pleasure. Thankyou John for your wonderful time and patience. WA health will miss you so much, and all my love and sympathy to your family. What a void, but what a joy to have had you in our lifetime. May you Rest in Peace. Your shift is over.

I am so saddened by the loss of the great JVP. He touched many and improved outcomes for many more. When our loved ones leave us, we have their memories and their stories. I hope these stories bring comfort, knowing he touched others in such an enduring way.

My sincere condolences to John's family with his passing. It was a great privilege to work with John at the Emergency Telehealth Service for WACHS. He was a true gentleman and a brilliant Emergency Physician. RIP JVP. You will be sorely missed.

Cousin John, you have left us far too soon, you will be so sadly missed, a most special Member of our Family & such a well respected & loved Doctor. Memories of our holidays in France & Italy are treasures that will forever hold a special place in our hearts, we are all so grateful for the experiences we shared, so many laughs & catch ups & all the most beautiful pictures you took, always capturing the best of times. Our love & strength to you Michele, Iain, Sarah, Drew & Families, may all the memories of stories of dear John be a comfort to you during this difficult time. All our love & constant thoughts Clare, Colin & all the Coomer & McFarlane Families in SA

My sincere & heartfelt condolences to John's family & friends following his devastating passing. A true gentleman & professional, that I had the pleasure of working with over 8 years in Albany HDU. No matter the time, day or night, John's signature "John van der Post, hello" phone pickup rings as clear in my mind today, as it did back then. JVP's presence, guidance and care will be missed by many. May the legacy he has left behind be honoured for many years to come. Rest in peace Sir x

Devastated to hear of JVP passing, you were one on the finest Doctors I have worked with and gave me so much respect and time over the years. Will miss the laughs and you're brilliance, thoughts are with his family and the void he has left WA health.

I was blessed to have John as my mentor colleague and friend early in my career. Equally happy to lead high value discussions about health system redesign and help wash the dishes after the meeting-a uniquely generous spirit for all things. My deepest sympathy to Johns family. Thank you for allowing us to celebrate your love one in this way-here. I hope these many kind words bring solace at this time.

So very saddened to hear of JVPs passing, I miss him being here, around, available. My condolences to his wife, family, friends and colleagues.

So much of the very fiber of who we all are – at our very core - is a consequence of the time we spent in John’s company. He taught me to be serious about serious stuff, to laugh at the rest and to always, always cherish the blessings of our life … “Bona Vita Est”. To love your friends. Generosity with worldly things. My love of gundogs and field work. Being able to fix things by common sense. My addiction to listening to patients / people for the small things of big impact. The laughter of Lytton Street rings inside my head ... and the sound of a toboggan on Jammie steps roars in my ears. Go with God, old friend! And Thank You.

I have heard many lovely stories recently about John - his sense of calm, dignity, common sense, astuteness and kindness. Our family have been lucky enough to have had John as a regular visitor to our home during the frequent travel period of his career. Without fail, we would have desert delivered along with many stories and anecdotes from various times in his life - motorbikes, fly fishing (fails) and travel. We will miss you. J, Helen, Matt and Charlotte.

An utter treasure and gentlemen, in all my years of working with him I have never seen him lose his patience or say a single unkind word. My deepest condolences to his family.

John's passing leaves a big hole in the hearts of MANY people across WA Health. He touched many lives, imparted endless common sense and caring. He's still remembered in Bunbury where he did some work many years ago. JVP, you were one of a kind. I, and we, will miss you.

John was a rare person - kind, skilled, erudite, engaging and so very authentic. We don't come across many people like him in our lifetimes- I'm really grateful that I did. Thank you JVP.

I had the pleasure of working closely with JVP for many years during the changing of the medical model at Albany Hospital. His dedication, expertise, calmness and sense of humour made those stressful times so much easier. My heartful condolences to Michele, his family and loved ones. He will be dearly missed by so many.

Saddened to hear of John’s passing. Much admired former colleague at WACHS. Rest easy John.