Wilberforce GP, Dr Michael Azmir, retiring after over 30 years serving community

Patients and friends attended the Macquarie Park Boathouse Cafe on Saturday, September 29 to say goodbye to the GP, who had been serving locals for over 30 years.

Arthur Rutter, a friend and former patient, said people had travelled as far as Penrith to visit Dr Azmir over the years to attend his surgery.

“This demonstrates the popularity and faith in his dedication towards his many Patients,” said Mr Rutter.

“Ably supported by his long term receptionist Beverly Gray and Michael’s [Dr Azmir] Wife Zabrina he has reputedly never had a day off work himself, demonstrating his commitment to his patients.

“In a number of cases he has, over the years treated four generations of the same families, even it was said in one case five generations of the family.”

During the farewell event, attendees heard about the difficulties in getting patients to hospital during the floods which were a feature of the Hawkesbury River in the 1990s and having to use the floodboats.

“This commitment to helping others even extended to when he and Zabrina were in Sri Lanka on holiday when a tsunami struck the island causing a lot of damage and injury to the inhabitants of the Island,” said Mr Rutter.

“Holiday quickly forgotten they both spent their time helping the relief efforts, this is an example of the character of this couple we have been fortunate to have serving our community.”

Dr Azmir made an emotional speech on the day, responding to the numerous expressions of thanks and good wishes from his patients.

He read out a message from his daughter who was unable to attend, recalling the number of trips she made with her dad to and from the surgery at Wilberforce as a child.

The doctor also introduced the new GP, Dr Senthil Govindarajan, who was taking over from him at the Wilberforce Shopping Centre practice.

“He was diligent in ensuring that his former patients would continue having a local GP to look after them. He tried to commit Dr Senthil to stay for 30 years also,” said Mr Rutter.