Emotional colleagues have paid tribute to aspiring Melbourne cancer specialist Daniel Christidis, who was killed by a shark while holidaying in Queensland.
The 33-year-old doctor was attacked at Cid Harbour, off Whitsunday Island, on Monday afternoon at the start of a five-day trip with friends and co-workers and died from his injuries.
Western Health director of surgery and head of urology Helen O'Connell told reporters at Footscray Hospital on Wednesday Dr Christidis was a rare individual with "unstoppable optimism".
"He still has, for such a young person, achieved so much," Professor O'Connell said, holding back tears.
"He will have achieved more than so many people do in a lifetime for being such a hard worker."
Dr Christidis had just completed a PhD in the area of prostate cancer at Austin Health and started working as a surgical registrar in urology at Western Health in February.
"Daniel is a rare individual who is constantly enthusiastic and positive," Prof O'Connell said.
"He really had the sky, whatever that is for a young doctor, as the limit."
Dr Christidis showed "amazing patient care" on one occasion getting an upset patient a cake on her birthday, the professor noted.
Chief medical officer Paul Eleftheriou said colleagues were "completely devastated" by Dr Christidis' death.
"He was a fantastic doctor, exceptional character. A bright spark in the lives of many at Western Health," Dr Eleftheriou said.
He spoke to Dr Christidis' Melbourne-based family on Wednesday morning and offered support.
It is understood Dr Christidis' father has flown to Queensland, while his sister and mother remain in Melbourne.
The latest attack has renewed debate over shark mitigation measures, but Prof O'Connell and Dr Eleftheriou did not want to get involved.
"It is obviously a controversial thing, I know nothing about it personally, it is not my area of expertise so it would be foolish to make any comment," Prof O'Connell said.
