Esteemed Queensland country veterinarian John Hosie dies at 38

A hardworking, well-respected and personable country vet has died in his 30s on his remote cattle station.

A renowned cattle country veterinarian has died aged 38 on his station in North Queensland.

John Hosie lost his life in an ATV accident on his family’s property on September 18.

The business he took over from his father, Tableland Veterinary Service, said in a social media post the highly accredited, intuitive, affable and charming doctor worked hard flying around The Gulf country.

“He related to people from all walks of life but was always most at home with cattle and horses,” a vet clinic spokesperson said.

A memorial for the 38-year-old father will be held in Townsville on Friday.

Dr John Hosie died on his property on September 18. Picture: Supplied

Dr Hosie’s formative years were spent at his father’s veterinary clinic at Malanda, outside of Cairns.

“Johnno literally grew up at (Tableland Veterinary Service), a regular offsider even as a toddler to his dad and TVS partner, Dr Ian,” the clinic says in the social media post.

The young man was enamoured by the two planes the clinic’s vets used to travel the vast expanses of North Queensland and The Gulf.

“It surprised no one when John enrolled into the first cohort of students studying James Cook University’s Veterinary Science Degree in 2005,” the post continued.

After graduating he moved to South East Queensland to work.

He then became the first James Cook University graduate to be recognised as a Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in the Reproductive Medicine chapter.

After working overseas, he returned home to Queensland and officially partnered in the Malanda clinic with his dad as the latter transitioned to retirement.

Dr Hosie effectively grew up at his father’s vet clinic near Cairns. Picture: Google

“To no one’s surprise, John also worked towards his pilot licence and was at his happiest flying around North Queensland’s cattle stations pregnancy testing, bull testing, and soaking up station life,” the post read.

“Love eventually took Johnno away from TVS in 2020, and he moved west with fiancee Dr Michaela, also a JCU graduate and TVS vet, to Yan Yean cattle station near Richmond.”

The couple had a boy in 2023.

“He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. Our love and support goes out to all his family and friends at this difficult time,” the post continued.

Originally published as Esteemed Queensland country veterinarian John Hosie dies at 38