Tributes flow for Alister Rodgers

Rockhampton vet Dr Alister Rodgers lost his fight against Hendra virus on September 1, 2009.

The Morning Bulletin

ROCKHAMPTON vet Alister Rodgers was a good-humoured man who was well respected by colleagues and in the community.

Yesterday tributes flowed for Dr Rodgers who died on Tuesday in the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane from Hendra virus.

He contracted the deadly disease from an infected horse at a Cawarral property last month.

Dr Rodgers' family yesterday requested privacy.

His work colleague at the Rockhampton Veterinary Clinic, Kris Thompson, said he would be greatly missed by all.

“He was a caring, passionate vet who was very gentle with the animals,” Kris said.

“He was very well respected in the community.

“This is such a horrible thing.”

She said the death came as a surprise to workers even though they knew how ill he had been.

“It's very hard,” Kris said.

“We did know how serious it was, but we had always kept our hopes up.”

She said the thoughts of everyone were with Dr Rodgers' family - wife Linda and children Courtney and Duncan.

“The family has been through so much,” Kris said.

“We are very thankful for all the support we have received and we ask the family's wishes for privacy are respected.”

Alma Street Veterinary Hospital's Greg Muir said the thoughts of the vet community were with Dr Rodgers' family.

He said Rockhampton's vets were a close-knit group and everyone was saddened by what had occurred.

“We all know each other from meeting at conferences and that sort of stuff,” Greg said.

“He was extremely well respected and built up a really good practice.

“Alister was a good bloke ... he was always up for a chat whenever you saw him.”

He said with Dr Rodgers' passing, the region had lost a wealth of experience in the field.

“He will leave a big hole to fill,” Greg said.

Meanwhile, Queensland Health Minister Paul Lucas also passed on his condolences to the family.

“I've sent my deepest sympathies to his family,” he told State Parliament yesterday.

“This is a terrible tragedy for his family and they are being supported by the staff of Princess Alexandra Hospital.

“They've requested privacy and I would ask that people respect this at this time.”

In July the vet treated a foal at J4S horse nursery in Cawarral, for what was then believed to be a snake bite.

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