Message from Queensland Medical Women’s Society (QMWS)
Our esteemed colleague and friend, Dr Laurel Macintosh OBE has passed away peacefully aged 98, on Saturday 5 November, with family members at her side.
Dr Macintosh as one of our most senior members, was a trail blazer for working women and in particular Medical Women. She remained interested and involved in the activities of QMWS and AFMW, including the recent Purple Bush Medicine Leaves Bursary event in July 2022.
She was a founding member of the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists in 1977 and held executive positions in multiple Women’s and Medical Organisations throughout her life, including QMWS President 1988-1990. She was born in rural New South Wales, studied medicine in Sydney, and did specialist training in London, joining the New South Wales Medical Women’s Society before moving to Queensland for her career.
Dr Macintosh was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 and the Australian Centenary Medal in 2001, as well as Life Membership of AMAQ in 1996 and QMWS in 2004. She had a strong commitment to care for the most disadvantaged, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, establishing rural outreach clinics for children with Low Vision throughout Queensland.
QMWS members are invited to a celebration of her life on Friday 18 November 2022, from 10.30am at St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Creek Street Brisbane.
Further details regarding her funeral will be available through the Courier Mail next week.
QMWS extends its deepest condolences to her family and loved ones, including Laurel’s good friend Gem, and members of the National Council of Women of Queensland, who shared and nutured our connection with Laurel, particularly during these last years.
We are grateful for the enormous contribution that Dr Macintosh has made to our society and our profession, particularly in advocating for fairness and opportunity.
Dr Laurel Macintosh’s life and work is summarised in this comprehensive interview with her, published by NCWQ in January 2021. Please see the following:
“All people should have the opportunity to develop what talents they have, to choose the life they wish to lead, while recognising the rights of others to choose differently. We need tolerance and understanding of each other.”
QMWS
photo credit: http://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/ncwa/presidents-15.html
MBBS (Hons) FRACP FRCPA BMedSc
Co-Convenor, AFMW Purple Bush Medicine Leaves Bursary Program.
Vice President, Australian Federation of Medical Women Inc 2018-2022.
Past President, Queensland Medical Women’s Society 2016-2019.
