Jean Macnamara was born in Beechworth, Victoria on 1 April 1899. She moved to Melbourne with her family when she was eight years old, but maintained a lifelong association with Beechworth, and a passionate interest in rural issues.

Macnamara graduated from the University of Melbourne Medical School, top of her year, in 1922. Subsequently, she was appointed resident medical officer at the (Royal)Children's Hospital in Melbourne — the first woman to hold such a position.

Work on Polio

During the 1920s, it was impossible to work in a hospital and not be aware of polio. Right from the start of her medical career, Macnamara believed that poliomyelitis could be beaten, and that those who already had the disease could, if not be cured, at least be given back some degree of mobility. Working with Frank Macfarlane Burnet, she discovered the existence of more than one type of polio virus. This discovery was profoundly important for the later development of an effective vaccine (the Salk vaccine) against the disease.

The treatment and eradication of polio became Jean Macnamara's lifetime passion. Her commitment to improving the lives of young children suffering from polio was unrivalled, and many people who experienced her care still speak of her untiring devotion. Dr Bertram McCloskey, writing in the Australian Medical Journal in 1970, recalled the long waits at Macnamara's clinic in Melbourne: "I wondered at first how her patients and their parents felt about the long hours of the clinic, but soon realised that they regarded it as a privilege and honour to be under her care."

In recognition of her work in this area, Macnamara was made a Dame of the British Empire (DBE) at the age of 35 in 1934.

Work on Myxomatosis

From her childhood in Beechworth and times spent on properties belonging to her family in western Victoria, Jean Macnamara was at heart a country woman. Her concern to preserve Australia's rural heritage, and her distress at the erosion of topsoil caused by rabbits, led to her second passionate lifetime pursuit — the introduction of myxomatosis.

Macnamara first became aware of the myxoma virus while visiting America in 1931-33. American scientists had discovered that the virus killed rabbits, and Macnamara believed it could be the answer to the rabbit plagues that often devastated the countryside and bankrupted Australian farmers.

It took more than 15 years of determination on Macnamara's part before the myxoma virus was finally introduced into Australia. The results were dramatic ­ a year after the virus was spread, the drop in rabbit numbers had so improved pasture quality that the national wool cheque increased by £30 million. Woolgrowers heralded Jean Macnamara and her unique determination. Today, the presence of the virus has helped to prevent the rabbit plagues that occurred before the introduction of myxomatosis, thus helping to conserve Australia's rural heritage.

Jean Macnamara died on 13 October 1968, succumbing to the heart disease that had plagued her for many years. Her life had been devoted to children. As her daughter, Merran Samuel, recalls, "Everything — her belief in conservation, her desire to have disabled children living in the mainstream of life — was simply a never-ending determination to get a better deal for children".

Links

Centenary Celebrations 1999

Dame Jean Macnamara's centenary was celebrated in 1999 as part of the Tall Poppy Campaign of the Australian Institute of Policy & Science.

In addition, two Jean Macnamara Centenary Prizes were awarded to outstanding students at Beechworth Secondary College and Rutherglen High School.

Beechworth Secondary College winners were three Year 11 science students: Nicola Cahill, Biology; Rebecca Barnett, Chemistry; and Tim Goodwin, Physics. Rutherglen High School winners were: Michael Hicks- Biology Sharon Waugh - Chemistry Edmund Duncan - Physics.

The Prizes were awarded for the highest academic achievement in each subject area, and to students with a demonstrated interest in social equality and environmental issues.

More about Dame Jean Macnamara and her work

As part of her centenary, a special insert on Jean Macnamara appeared in the CSIRO's Helix magazine ­ you can order a copy of this insert by contacting the AIPS.

As part of the Tall Poppy Education Program, a Learning Activity Topicfor primary schools was produced on science and the work of Macnamara and other great scientists.

Bright Sparcs Information about Jean Macnamara and many other Australian scientists

Polio Network Victoria

Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne Where Dame Jean was the first woman to be a Resident Medical Officer

Australian National Farmers' Federation

Beechworth, Victoria The town where Jean Macnamara grew up in rural Victoria