Her research focused on cerebral palsy in Australia and she published major articles that dealt with aspects of the disease in children, seeking to promote the potential of cerebral palsy sufferers to lead useful and independent lives. She formed the Australian Cerebral Palsy Association in 1952 and chaired its medical and educational committee.
For many years Agnes McDonald used her medical experience to treat local Maori. Her work was of critical importance during the 1860s when epidemics of scrofula and influenza caused heavy mortality in the district. She is said to have found an effective treatment for scrofula, using iodine. In the 1870s she applied to Donald McLean and was authorised to make up a medicine chest at government expense and to replenish it on each visit to Wellington.
Annie Praed enrolled in the first dentistry course at the University of Sydney. In 1938 she was the first woman to graduate Doctor of Dental Science (DDSc) from the University of Sydney.
American philanthropic social worker
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.