It is with great sadness that we let you know that Dr Garry Pearce, Rehabilitation Physician, ex Chair of the AROC Management Advisory Committee and one of the key players in the establishment of AROC, passed away on 18 August 2017 after a brief illness.
With his colleague A/Prof Ben Marosszeky, Garry was instrumental in developing AROC in 2002, and encouraging all rehabilitation clinicians to become AROC members and participate in national outcome benchmarking. Due in no small part to his never flagging enthusiasm, AROC has grown to include as members almost all Australian inpatient rehabilitation units, all New Zealand inpatient rehabilitation units, and a growing number of ambulatory rehabilitation services. AROC is now widely recognised not only as the rehabilitation clinical registry for Australia and New Zealand but as a strong advocate for rehabilitation.
It was a pleasure and a privilege to work with Garry. Whilst unfailingly courteous he was also exceptionally determined, albeit in a very gentle good humoured way. AROC would not be where it is today without Garry. He will be sadly missed, but always remembered.