Janet Irwin

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Janet Irwin

AM
Born
Janet Rickord McCall Smith

Rawene, New Zealand
Died20 March 2009(2009-03-20) (aged 85)
Nelson, New Zealand
Alma materUniversity of Otago

Janet Rickord McCall Irwin AM (née Smith; 14 September 1923 – 20 March 2009) was a New Zealand doctor who also practised in Australia. She was a doctor in student health at the University of Canterbury and University of Queensland, and an activist for women's health and broader social issues.

Early life[]

Irwin was born in Rawene, New Zealand, on 14 September 1923.[1][2] She was the daughter of Lucy Smith and Dr George McCall Smith, the founder of the Hokianga area health service.[1] She had one brother Jock who died at the age of 10 in 1932.[3]

Career[]

Irwin studied medicine at the University of Otago for almost five years but disappointed her father by getting married before completing her degree.[3] After her marriage ended she returned to medical school and graduated in 1963.[1][4]

She worked at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh after winning a scholarship to study psychological problems in young people.[1] Concluding that “every child should be a wanted child” she began campaigning for abortion law reform.[1]

Irwin took up a position at the University of Canterbury in student health, advocating on health issues of students especially women students.[1]

From 1974 to 1978 she was director of Student Health Services at the University of Queensland.[1][5] She was also the university’s first sexual harassment conciliator.[1] While living in Australia she served on government bodies on immigration, social welfare, health, women and criminal justice[1] including the Better Health Commission and Criminal Justice Commission.[5] Other spheres of activity included the Queensland Council for Civil Liberties, the Brisbane Women’s Network and other lobby groups.[1]

Honours and awards[]

Irwin was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1991 for service to women’s affairs and the community.[6] She was awarded a Centenary Medal in 2001.[1]

Personal life[]

Irwin’s parents, who were opposed to her marriage, did not attend her wedding to Air Force officer Peter Irwin in 1944.[1][7] McCall Smith’s role at the wedding was fulfilled by Sir Douglas Robb.[3][7] The Irwins lived at Paraparaumu.[1] In 1948 McCall Smith and Lucy moved to Waikanae from Rawene to live near their daughter.[3] The Irwins' marriage ended in 1962. They had three children.[1]

Irwin died in Nelson on 20 March 2009.[1][8][2]

A biography of Irwin A Prescription for Action: The Life of Dr Janet Irwin was published in 2016.[9]

Publications[]

  • Furnival CM, Irwin JR, Gray GM. (1983) ‘Breast disease in young women. When is biopsy indicated?’ Medical Journal of Australia. Vol. 2, no. 4 p.167–9. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1983.tb122396.x. PMID: 6877161.
  • Irwin, J, De Vries S, Wilson, SS, & Sparling, J. (1998). Raising girls: The pleasures, the perils, the pitfalls. Brisbane, Qld.: Pandanus Press.

Further reading[]

  • ‘Doctor became advocate for social justice.’ Otago Daily Times, 27 June 2009, p. 36.
  • Irwin, J. ‘Going home to the Hokianga.’ North and South, September 1992, p. 34–36

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Liberal medic and feminist". Press (Christchurch, N.Z.). 27 June 2009. p. D20. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Death search: registration number 2009/7950". Births, deaths & marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d Parkes, W. F; Auckland Medical History Society (2004). A Northland legend: Dr G.M. Smith of Rawene, 1883-1958. Auckland, N.Z.: Auckland Medical History Society. pp. 15, 26. ISBN 978-0-476-00851-9. OCLC 156767299.
  4. ^ "Graduate roll". The Early Medical Women of New Zealand. 25 May 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  5. ^ a b Currie, Susan (2017). The activist life of Dr Janet Irwin and my activist response in researching and writing her story. Thesis.
  6. ^ "Dr Janet Rickord McCall Irwin". Australian Government. Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 12 October 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ a b "Irwin–Smith". Auckland Star. 24 January 1944. p. 5. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  8. ^ "Plot record details". Nelson City Council. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  9. ^ Currie, Susan (2016). A prescription for action: the life of Dr Janet Irwin. ISBN 978-1-925333-83-1. OCLC 960839531.

External links[]

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