Eleanor Elizabeth Bourne

Australian medical doctor and public health advocate

Eleanor Elizabeth Bourne (4 December 1878 – 23 May 1957) was a pioneering Australian medical doctor and public health advocate. She was the first female medical student to enroll at the University of Sydney and became a prominent figure in the field of public health, particularly in the care of children.

Early life and education

Eleanor Elizabeth Bourne

Eleanor Bourne was born in South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. She was the daughter of John Sumner Pears Bourne, a bank manager, and Jane Elizabeth Bourne. Eleanor was educated at Brisbane Girls Grammar School, where she excelled academically. Her interest in medicine was sparked at a young age, and she pursued this passion by enrolling in the University of Sydney's medical program in 1896.

Medical career

Upon graduating in 1903, Bourne became the first woman to graduate with a medical degree from the University of Sydney. She began her medical career at the Brisbane General Hospital, where she worked as a resident medical officer. Her early career was marked by her dedication to improving public health standards, particularly in the area of child health.

Public health advocacy

Bourne was a strong advocate for public health and preventive medicine. She believed in the importance of early childhood health and worked tirelessly to improve the health standards for children in Queensland. In 1907, she was appointed as the first female medical officer in the Queensland Department of Public Instruction, where she focused on school health services.

World War I service

During World War I, Bourne served with the Royal Army Medical Corps in England and France. She was one of the few women doctors to serve overseas during the war, where she worked in military hospitals, providing care to wounded soldiers. Her service was recognized with several honors, and she returned to Australia with a renewed commitment to public health.

Later life and legacy

After the war, Bourne continued her work in public health, focusing on the health and welfare of children. She was instrumental in the establishment of child welfare clinics and school health programs throughout Queensland. Her contributions to medicine and public health were widely recognized, and she became a role model for women in medicine.

Eleanor Bourne retired in 1939 but remained active in public health advocacy until her death in 1957. Her legacy is remembered through her pioneering work in medicine and her dedication to improving the health of children.

Eleanor Elizabeth Bourne Papers

Related pages

• University of Sydney
• Brisbane Girls Grammar School
• Royal Army Medical Corps
• Public health