General News
22 May, 2026
Vale ‘Dr Feelgood’
MUCH-loved Port Douglas GP Dr John Archer has died suddenly, aged 75.
Mossman Medical Centre confirmed Dr Archer’s death which led to a barrage of social media posts signifying his popularity and respect from the community after serving the Port Douglas area for nearly 50 years.
“We lost an incredible man today, someone who loved his work, his patients, his community. Blunt and to the point by far the best doctor ever. RIP Dr John Archer, my deepest condolences go to your family and my gratitude for all your care and repair is eternal,” stated one post on the local Port Douglas Notice Board Facebook site.
Another post, on the same page, simply said “Dr John Archer. A friend and my GP for 24 years RIP.”
Rod Davis via a Facebook post said “for decades, many of us would tramp into John’s surgery, sit there watching those giant David Attenborough videos and wait to discuss whatever latest madness or ailment had befallen us, whether it was something minor, major, broken, bleeding or completely self-inflicted. John was always there.”
“John lived fully, loudly, stubbornly, intelligently, recklessly at times and always completely as himself. Port Douglas will not quite feel the same without him.”
Mowbray local Chrissie Gilewicz said “my husband Trevor and I have both been deeply saddened by Dr John’s passing”.
“He wasn’t just our doctor, he was someone we trusted, someone whose dry wit and no-nonsense honesty always made us feel we were in safe hands,” she said.
“We valued his opinion and admired him enormously and will miss him more than we can say. His loss has come as a real shock and leaves a huge gap in health care for our region.”
Mary Green, a patient of Dr Archer for many years said “he had been an amazing doctor for me since I was very young and dealt with my late husband’s health issues in a very caring way.”
Born Edward John Archer in Westminster, London, on 10 November, 1950, he studied for his medical degree at University College London.
He moved to Brisbane 1978 to work as a radiology registrar at Princess Alexandra Hospital. It was on a motor bike trip to Cape Tribulation that he fell in love with the Wet Tropics.
In 1979, Dr Archer took over the general practice of Dr Alan King in Port Douglas, where the consulting area was a small room behind the house and the waiting room was an open air section behind it.
The new doctor had inpatients in Mossman Hospital and was a medical officer in the Cairns Family Planning Clinic for a day or two a week for some years.
On Wednesday nights, John Anich, the pharmacist in Mossman, would bring the prescription medications to his house, while also delivering them to locals in Port Douglas.
Later on the current rooms were built in Macrossan Street, Port Douglas.
Dr Archer’s three children were all born by 1983, when he bought a property in Julatten and this is where he lived from then on.
Beyond Dr Archer’s medical knowledge and experience, he will be remembered for his relaxed and friendly approach when dealing with patients, but also his ability to get people well.
The loved doctor – known affectionately as “Dr Feelgood” – was always a keen supporter of bulk billing, not only happy to assist patients with their health, but with consideration for their medical costs. His medical centre says the necessary support is being provided, not only to his family, but to staff and patients shocked by his sudden departure. A public memorial is planned on Sunday 31 May at Rex Smeal Park.
