There was a mix of sadness and excitement at Benalla Health on Monday, February 19, as staff held a morning tea to farewell retiring surgeon Dr Peter Thomas.
While his colleagues admitted he would be missed, they were happy to hear about his plans for retirement.
These include taking a trip to Europe and cataloguing a shipping container full of collectables.
“I’m looking forward to it. The time’s come, I’ll turn 64 next month,” Dr Thomas said.
“It’s been 28 years, and I’ve really enjoyed it. But it does feel like 28 years.
“I’ve got good friends here among the staff and the other GPs.”
Dr Thomas said there had been some good, positive changes in his time at Benalla Health.
“The new theatre is a big one, and the improved efficiency.
“We are very efficient with the work we do here compared to a lot of other places that I’ve worked.”
Dr Thomas is leaving Benalla Health in good hands with his protégé Dr Brad Bidwell taking up his tasks.
When asked about filling big shoes, Dr Bidwell said it was Dr Thomas who trained him, so there was no better way to prepare for the role.
“Peter’s been a great mentor,” he said.
“And it is a big set of shoes to fill, but I’m looking forward to the challenges, and Peter’s graciously offered to be around as a bit of an advisor for the next little while.”
Dr Thomas said that’s a big part of his commitment to the Benalla community.
“I’m not going to just stop and leave everyone in the lurch,” he said.
“Brad and I have been talking for almost two years about this and planning for it.”
Dr Thomas said that while he will miss all his colleagues, it means he will be around occasionally to say hi.
“But I will miss all the camaraderie with the theatre team and interacting with the GPs,” he said.
Members of the perioperative team had a message for Dr Thomas.
“Peter is not just a great country surgeon, he’s an invaluable part of our medical family, and his absence will be deeply felt,” a team spokesperson said.
“Working alongside him has been an enriching experience. It has truly been a pleasure working with Peter.
“His dedication to his craft is evident in every surgery, and his compassion for patients and their families is heartwarming.
“The connections he has built with our staff, some lasting almost two decades, are a testament to his genuine and caring nature.
“The perioperative team here at Benalla Health wish him all the best for his retirement.”