biographies

Simpson, George (1899 - 1960)

O.B.E., M.R.C.P., D.G.O. (Melb.), F.R.C.O.G.

Born
14 May 1899
Hamilton, Victoria, Australia
Died
24 November 1960
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Occupation
Gynaecologist, Medical Practitioner and Obstetrician

Details

Transcription of item believed to have been written by Dr Colin Macdonald. Published in "The Book of Remembrance", The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, 1960.


GEORGE SIMPSON (1899 - 1960)

O.B.E., M.R.C.P., D.G.O. (Melb.), F.R.C.O.G.

OBITUARY


George Simpson, for many years one of Melbourne’s best-loved obstetricians, died suddenly in Melbourne on November 24, 1960, thus bring to an untimely end a lifetime of untiring service to the community in many fields of activity.

His father, Archibald Joseph Simpson, was a grazier in the Hamilton district of Victoria and renowned throughout Australia for his short-horn stud. He had a family of five sons and a daughter, George being born in Hamilton on May 14, 1899. George received his early education at Hamilton College, but in 1915 he went as a boarder to Scotch College and there commenced an association with the Littlejohn family, which continued till his death. At this time Scotch College was under the headmastership of W.S. Littlejohn, and those at school in his headmastership remember his gruff good nature, and his ability to teach and understand boys. All who knew Littlejohn paid tribute to his guidance both at school and later. “Old Bill” was a legend in his lifetime, and was remember by all with the utmost affection, and with the feeling that he had instilled into them those principles of good conduct which stood them in good stead in later life.

In 1917 George Simpson commenced his medical course at the University of Melbourne, and was resident in Ormond College throughout his course. His sporting interest was rowing, at which he represented his college. Always a good scholar, he shared the exhibition in anatomy in his third year, and in 1922 obtained final honours, being tenth on the list. This was not mean achievement in a year which produced three pathologists of world renown – Sir Macfarlane Burnet, a lifelong friend, Professor Sir Gordon Cameron, of University College, London, and Professor Rupert Willis. He was appointed resident medical officer to the Melbourne Hospital on graduation, and the next year was selected as one of its four registrars.

In 1924 he became resident medical officer to the Children’s Hospital and the following year he went to England, in 1926 obtaining the M.R.C.P. (London). At this stage he developed and interest in obstetrics and became a resident surgeon at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital, later to pursue his studies at the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin.

In 1927 he returned to Melbourne and renewed his association with the Littlejohn family, joining the clinic in Ivanhoe, whose senior partner was Mr. C.W.B. Littlejohn, the eldest son of his late headmaster, the second son, Dr. E.I. Littlejohn, being also a member. This association was a very happy one and continued until George’s death. After a short period as a clinical assistant at the Women’s Hospital, he was appointed to the out-patient gynaecological staff in 1932, thus commencing a period of service which laster 27 years. This same year the University of Melbourne held its first examination for the diploma of gynaecology and obstetrics, and although already appointed to the hospital, George Simpson felt that he should sit for this diploma, so he settled down to work and obtained it in 1933 while still in active general practice. In 1935 he was elected as a member of the British College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (now the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists), was elevated to Fellowship of this College in 1951, and served on the State Committee of the College from 1955 to 1958.

During his long association with the Royal Women’s Hospital, George Simpson served the hospital in both the gynaecological and the obstetrical departments, but obstetrics was always his greater interest, and in 1959 on a rearrangement of the staff, he elected to become an obstetrician to in-patients, and held this position until his retirement in 1959.

During this period he was chairman of the obstetric staff, later chairman of the executive staff from 1954 to 1956 inclusive, during which time he was a member of the board of management of the hospital. His last year as chairman of staff was a very onerous one, as it coincided with the hospital’s centenary, when an immense amount of organisation had to be done, and many meetings attended. The calls on his time in this year were legion, but he attended them with a spirit of cheerfulness which was an inspiration to all.

George Simpson was a thoughtful and careful obstetrician with a special interest n the pre-natal care of the patient. This interest extended beyond the confines of the hospital, as from 1930 to 1952 he was honorary obstetrician to the ante-natal department of the Melbourne District Nursing Service. This department was large, and often up to 40 patients had to be dealt with in an afternoon without any other medical help.

In his younger days in Hamilton he came into contact with the Reverend John Flynn, and when Flynn was moved to Central Australia, George became interested in the possibility of establishing an aerial medical service; to the foresight of these two people is owed the existence and success of the famous Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. George Simpson held almost every position of the federal council of this body, and was actively associated with it from 1925 until his death. In 1946 he succeeded Sir James Barrett as secretary of the Victorian Bush Nursing Association, maintaining his association with this organization until his death.

During the second World War he joined the Royal Australian Air Force Medical Service in 1942, and was posted to No.1 M.R.S., Darwin; in 1943 to No. 6 R.A.A.F. Hospital, Heidelberg, where he became medical registrar and did such sterling work that he was promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader, and became the first president of the newly formed medical board at the hospital; it was largely owing to his unfailing care and attention to detail that this innovation proved such a success. He was associated with the St. John Ambulance Association from 1927, and was a Serving Brother of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. In 1958 he was appointed to the Victorian Nursing Council, (which replaced the Nurses’ Board of Victoria), and with considerable reluctance accepted a position on the executive committee of this Council. His acceptance of this position entailed a lot of work for the regulations and operation of the new Council had to be planned; he remained on the executive until this initial work was completed last year. He was an examiner in obstetrics at the University of Melbourne from 1949 to 1959, and was for some years s member of the examining board for the diploma of gynaecology and obstetrics.

In 1957 his service to the community was officially recognized, and he was created an Officer of the most Excellent Order of the British Empire. In 1931 he had married Nesta, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Miller, of Kew, who with two daughters survived him.

Throughout his life George Simpson maintained an active interest in the Presbyterian Church, and for some years before his death was a elder of Knox Memorial Church, Ivanhoe. Although attaining great eminence in his chosen profession, he remained modest and unassuming, striving to bring the best of medical service within the reach of all, and always bringing into his work two most endearing characteristics, innate kindness and complete integrity.

Archival/Heritage Resources

Royal Women's Hospital Archives

  • Book of Remembrance, 1956 - 1975; Royal Women's Hospital Archives [ Details... ].

Prepared by: Robyn Waymouth

Created: 22 September 2006, Last modified: 26 November 2006