Landmine Victim became inspiration for students

TREVOR Anderson recovered from being blinded by a landmine in Vietnam to become a highly respected Melbourne psychiatrist

He established psychiatric services to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute and was a pioneer of community psychiatry in Victoria. The grandson of Scottish immigrant fanners to the Swan Hill region, and the son of an Australian army officer, Trevor attended Melbourne High before studying medicine at the University of Melbourne from 1961 to 1966.

He joined the army in 1964 and was assigned medical officer in 1968 to the Sixth Battalion Royal Australian ,Regiment.

On 21 July 1969, near the deserted town of Hoi My in South Vietnam, a landmine killed a young platoon commander and wounded 18 of his men. Captain Anderson flew in by helicopter to help with treatment and evacuation, but another mine detonated, killing a corporal. Trevor was instantly blinded, and wounded in the legs and abdomen.

After returning to Australia and recovering from his injuries, Trevor trained as a psychiatrist at Royal Park Hospital and the Parkville Psychiatric Unit, studying with the help of his wife, Janice.

In 1976 he was appointed consultant psychiatrist in charge at the Elizabeth St Clinic, Parkville, remaining in this post for 28 years as the centre moved to become, respectively, the Ellery and Waratah clinics in Carlton and Moonee Ponds.

He pioneered community psychiatry, treating out-patients and working closely with nurses, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists 'and other allied health and office staff. He helped train dozen's of young psychiatrists rotating through the clinic, and inspired generations of medical and other health students by his teaching and example. Trevor was especially skilled in listening to patients and was described by one colleague as "magic with difficult people". His practice philosophy was grounded in a profound respect for the rights of the individual. Despite having to deal with the Office of the Psychiatric Services' sometimes frustrating policies in regard to administration and resource allocation Trevor never forgot that the services were there to serve the patients and their families

As public psychiatry became more restrictive in its choice of patients, his the opening gambit of "How can I help you?" represented the ethical core of his practice philosophy

Early in his career Trevour virtually founded psycho_oncology in Victoria by starting a much needed liaison psychiatry service to the Peter MacCallum Clinic, then as now Melbourne's main centre for the treatment of cancer He provided that service around alone for-23 of 31 years, the first 12 of them in a purely honorary capacity

As a war veteran and psychiatrist Trevor was frequently called upon for advice and input to the Department of Veterans' Affairs, serving on numerous committees and being awarded the RSL Anzac of the Year award in 1991.

He was president of the Victorian Blinded Soldiers' Association served on the board of the Victorian Institute for the Blind from 1983 and was president from 1999, presiding over an amalgamation with Vision Australia and - Royal Blind Society of NSW, which - greatly improved services for the, blind and visually impaired.

He was also a member of the Victorian Psychological Council, which later became the Psychologists Registration Board, and was an adviser to the telephone counselling services , Lifeline

Married in 1968 to Janice Biggs, the home they shared with four children was a epicenter of activity suffused with love Trevor s blindness did not stop him joining them sailing, canoeing and even skiing and, with Janice, riding a tandem bike on many trips around Australia. New Zealand and Europe. His enthusiasm was always the driving force behind these expeditions

After discovering he had cancer of the pancreas in mid-2003, Trevor faced his final challenge with characteristic courage and detemination, returning to work for several weeks earlier this year before a worsening of his condition compelled him to cease practise.

Dr Trevor Anderson is survived by his devoted wife, ,Janice, children Penelope, Hamish, Virginia and Emily, and his five grandchildren. '