As registrar and research fellow in the RCH’s Clinical Research Unit from 1948 to 1950, she was a pioneer in paediatric gastroentology and made major contributions to the treatment of cystic fibrosis, coeliac disease and sugar intolerance. Among her groundbreaking discoveries were a test to distinguish between cystic fibrosis and coeliacs in children, and the identification of gluten as a cause of coeliacs.
Roberts became deputy director of radiology at the Alfred Hospital before moving in 1962 to become director of radiology at Prince Henry’s Hospital in St Kilda Road, Melbourne.
In the 1930s, Stella Pines led a movement which sought to make postgraduate education for nurses available at Australian universities.
Following the passage of the 1887 Neglected Children’s Act she became Victoria’s first licensed child rescuer.
Dame Jean Macnamara (later Connor) was a physician at the Children’s Hospital Melbourne from 1923, a consultant and medical officer to the Poliomyelitis Committee of Victoria 1925-1931, and the Medical Officer, Yooralla Hospital School for Crippled Children 1928-1951.
Amy Rivett was a disciple of Marie Stopes and advocated birth control. Later she specialised in gynaecology. She and her brother Edward were partners in Brisbane in the 1920s and again in Sydney after World War II. As municipal medical officer in Brisbane she was in charge of the health of licensed prostitutes. Rivett was a foundation member of the Queensland Medical Women’s Society.
Australian obstetrician and gynaecologist
Constance Ellis was the first women to graduate with a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Melbourne (1903).
In 1917 she began a pharmaceutical apprenticeship with Frank Brooks, studying by correspondence. Long hours worked during the 1918 influenza epidemic meant that her studies were put on hold until the emergency was over. In 1921 Ruth Webb passed her final examinations, reputedly achieving the top marks in New Zealand. Unable to register as a pharmacist until aged 21, she had to wait until March 1922 before she could officially use the letters MPS after her name.
Physician Theo Hall’s exceptional personality, capacity for work, professional competence, teaching skills and regard for patients’ needs earned her the respect and affection of all who knew her.