Patrick Brennan thanks 'wonderful neighbours'

The Central Coast Conservatorium's artistic director Mr Patrick Brennan has spoken publicly for the first time since he almost lost his left hand in a circular saw accident at his Phegans Bay home on Saturday, May 16.

Mr Brennan has paid tribute to his "wonderful neighbours" and the emergency responders who arrived quickly on the scene and airlifted him to Royal North Shore Hospital from Rogers Park.

He said he believed it was largely due to the skill and care of surgeon Dr James Ledgard

and his team that he still has his hand.

"Since my accident, the support from colleagues and the music and broader arts community on the Coast and from around Australia has been generous and incredibly inspiring," Mr Brennan said.

"I could never have imagined how much a community could rally around one individual in a time of a crisis.

"The amount of support and love that has come my way from our community has been truly overwhelming.

"I'm so glad to be alive and cannot wait to get back to making music and teachingstudents at the Conservatorium."

Mr Brennan said that, although he was currently incapacitated and learning how to re-use his left hand, his "musicians' mind" would help him overcome the challenges that come his way during his recovery period.

Media release, 10 Jul 2020

Patrick Brennan, Central Coast Conservatorium