Many staff and students of The University of Queensland’s physiotherapy community are mourning the death of Dr June Canavan, who was among those killed in Tuesday’s Papua New Guinean plane crash.
Dr Canavan, 59, a sports medicine practitioner from the Sunshine Coast, was a UQ medical graduate who gained an international reputation for her work with local and elite sports people. She also contributed to the education of many future health professionals through her involvement in postgraduate studies in physiotherapy.
Head of the Division of Physiotherapy, Professor Bill Vicenzino said Dr Canavan had lectured at UQ for around 15 years in the Masters of Physiotherapy programs for Sports and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.
Her area of specialty was the female in sport, particularly the major issues of low body weight, bone mineral loss and menstrual irregularities, as well as osteoporosis and its prevention and management, Prof Vicenzino said.
Co-ordinator of Postgraduate Physiotherapy Studies, Professor Gwendolen Jull said Dr Canavan was well liked by students “who enjoyed learning from her and consistently gave excellent feedback about her input”.
“We have been quite devastated by the news, as June always willingly shared her knowledge and experience with UQ students,” Prof Jull said.
Dr Canavan was a practitioner at the Sunshine Coast Sport Medicine Clinic at Maroochydore. She was on a charity mission, walking to raise money for a Tanzanian school, when the crash occurred. Dr Canavan was among 13 passengers, including nine Australians, who died when their twin-engine aircraft crashed in the mountains near the Kokoda Track.
Contributions to her fundraising appeal can be made at http://www.klockinguptheks.com.au/
Media: Faculty Communications Manager, Marlene McKendry - 0401 99 6847.
