the Refshauge family
Sir William (Bill) Refshauge (1913-2009), probably the most well-known of the family, was Director-General of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Secretary-General of the World Medical Association in Geneva.
In Australia, he was instrumental in introducing free dental care in schools and support for doctors' fees, the precursor to Medicare. Peder Refshauge, the grandfather of Bill, was born in Denmark and emigrated to Australia in his twenties. Several of his grandchildren, including Bill, and great-grandchildren have had (or still do) illustrious careers, in medicine, law and politics. |
Peter (Peder) Refshauge was born on 1 April 1830 in South Jutland, Denmark. At the age of 28, he emigrated to Australia and married Eliza Thornhill (nee Dudley; 1837-1891) who was from County Cork, Ireland. Peter died in 1914 in Wangarratta, Victoria.
Peter was survived by four children; John Henry (1861-1926) who went on to become a head teacher, and later opening Sale Agricultural High School. The couple also had George Peter (1874-1952), William Dudley (1862-1950) and Francis Christopher Refshauge (1864-1930). Francis was equally in education and was the first headmaster of Warragul High School. In 1906 he married Margaret Isabella (nee Craig, 1887-1971).
Francis later went on to Wangarratta Agricultural High School. He died on 20 July 1930 from poliomyelitis. The family was left with very little but Francis had instilled a sense of ambition and eagerness to learn amongst his children, which would be evident from their achievements later in life.
Peter was survived by four children; John Henry (1861-1926) who went on to become a head teacher, and later opening Sale Agricultural High School. The couple also had George Peter (1874-1952), William Dudley (1862-1950) and Francis Christopher Refshauge (1864-1930). Francis was equally in education and was the first headmaster of Warragul High School. In 1906 he married Margaret Isabella (nee Craig, 1887-1971).
Francis later went on to Wangarratta Agricultural High School. He died on 20 July 1930 from poliomyelitis. The family was left with very little but Francis had instilled a sense of ambition and eagerness to learn amongst his children, which would be evident from their achievements later in life.
joan janet brown refshauge (1906-1979)
The eldest daughter of Francis’ five children was Joan Refshauge. She was born on 3 April 1906 in Armadale, Melbourne. She went to University High School, the Presbyterian Ladies’ College and finally University of Melbourne where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science (1928), a Master of Science (1929). Later she also did a Diploma in Education (1930) as well as a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (1939). During this time she also taught mathematics at the university as well as in schools.
In 1937 Joan married Max Wulfing Bergin and they had a son, Rupert (1942-). Up until May 1943 she worked as a hospital resident before being commissioned as a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps with responsibility for the health of servicewomen in and around Melbourne. In 1947, Joan joined her husband in Papua New Guinea (PNG) where he had served in the New Guinea Administrative Unit during WWII. The following year, the couple divorced and Joan continued her work in PNG and was instrumental in establishing the Queen Elizabeth II infant, child and maternal health service whilst also rolling out school health services. During this time she also attended the University of Sydney and obtained a diploma in public health in 1954. Up until her resignation in 1963, Joan set up 21 central clinics, 528 village clinics and 541 centres.
In recognition of the tremendous impact she had had on maternal and child welfare in PNG, Joan was appointed O.B.E. and awarded the Cilento medal for tropical medicine in 1964. She returned to Australia and settled in Queensland where she became deputy-director of maternal and child welfare at the Queensland Department of Health in 1968. In 1973, she retired and died on 25 July 1979 aged 72 at Auchenflower, Brisbane.
In 1937 Joan married Max Wulfing Bergin and they had a son, Rupert (1942-). Up until May 1943 she worked as a hospital resident before being commissioned as a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps with responsibility for the health of servicewomen in and around Melbourne. In 1947, Joan joined her husband in Papua New Guinea (PNG) where he had served in the New Guinea Administrative Unit during WWII. The following year, the couple divorced and Joan continued her work in PNG and was instrumental in establishing the Queen Elizabeth II infant, child and maternal health service whilst also rolling out school health services. During this time she also attended the University of Sydney and obtained a diploma in public health in 1954. Up until her resignation in 1963, Joan set up 21 central clinics, 528 village clinics and 541 centres.
In recognition of the tremendous impact she had had on maternal and child welfare in PNG, Joan was appointed O.B.E. and awarded the Cilento medal for tropical medicine in 1964. She returned to Australia and settled in Queensland where she became deputy-director of maternal and child welfare at the Queensland Department of Health in 1968. In 1973, she retired and died on 25 July 1979 aged 72 at Auchenflower, Brisbane.
John (Jack) george hamilton refshauge (1919-1999)

Jack Refshauge, one of Joan’s younger brothers, was born in 1919. He was a top athlete at school, being the captain of the Caulfield Grammar School football team, and set records both as a runner and shot putter, which were undefeated for decades. When he finished school in 1939, he went to University of Melbourne to study science. A year later he joined the RAAF, training as a pilot. In 1942 he was dispatched to England as a spitfire pilot for the RAF. He took part in the bombings of Germany but was shot down over the English Channel in 1944 and was badly wounded. After being hospitalised and going through rehabilitation, Jack returned less than a year later flying once again as an RAF pilot but was shot down soon afterwards. After the war, he returned to Australia and went back to university, this time to study medicine.
In 1949, during his fourth year of study, he married a fellow university student, Diana Stoney, and they went on to have four children, Penny, Jane, Wendy and John. After graduating, Jack was made a resident at the Alfred Hospital, where he specialised in the ear, nose, and throat practice. In fact, his work was so outstanding that he was made a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons without examination. He was a visiting senior medical staff member for 27 years and a member of the management board at Williamstown Hospital. He also became heavily involved in sports medicine and worked as a medical officer for the Melbourne Football and North Melbourne football clubs. He was Vice-President of the International Sports Medicine Federation and President of the Sports Federation of Victoria (now VIC Sport) from 1984 to 1990. Jack had long been involved in reforming unethical practices in the sporting industry and after retiring from medical practice in 1985, he became chairman of the ethics committee at the Footscray Institute of Technology (now Victoria University).
Jack died after long illness on 26 November 1999 aged 80. He was survived by his wife and four children.
In 1949, during his fourth year of study, he married a fellow university student, Diana Stoney, and they went on to have four children, Penny, Jane, Wendy and John. After graduating, Jack was made a resident at the Alfred Hospital, where he specialised in the ear, nose, and throat practice. In fact, his work was so outstanding that he was made a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons without examination. He was a visiting senior medical staff member for 27 years and a member of the management board at Williamstown Hospital. He also became heavily involved in sports medicine and worked as a medical officer for the Melbourne Football and North Melbourne football clubs. He was Vice-President of the International Sports Medicine Federation and President of the Sports Federation of Victoria (now VIC Sport) from 1984 to 1990. Jack had long been involved in reforming unethical practices in the sporting industry and after retiring from medical practice in 1985, he became chairman of the ethics committee at the Footscray Institute of Technology (now Victoria University).
Jack died after long illness on 26 November 1999 aged 80. He was survived by his wife and four children.
sir william (bill) dudley duncan refshauge (1913-2009)

Perhaps the most well-known Refshauge was Jack’s older brother Sir William Refshauge. He was born on 3 April 1913 in Wangaratta, Victoria, went to Hampton High School, then Scotch College in Melbourne and later studied medicine at the University of Melbourne. During his college years, he excelled in sports and was selected in the First Eight rowers for the Melbourne ‘Head of the River’ aged just 15 and also played in the First football team.
During his university years, his father died and the family sold their Melbourne home and moved to a farm in the country where William worked whilst finishing his degree. In 1938 he graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and a Master of Surgery and became Resident Medical Officer at the Alfred Hospital the following year.
At the outbreak of WWII, William joined the Australian Imperial Force as a medical officer with the rank of captain. During the war, he saw service in the Middle East, Greece, New Guinea and Borneo. Whilst at the Alfred Hospital, William had met Helen Elizabeth Stanfield (nee Allwright) who was a senior nursing sister and they married in 1942 when William returned briefly from his AIF posting. That same year he was promoted to major and later lieutenant-colonel.
After the war, William’s specialised in obstetrics and gynaecology and became a medical superintendent at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne. He was also a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in London. During the Korean war, when he once again joined the Australian Army, he was promoted to major-general in 1951 and was heavily involved in establishing an Army School of Health in Healesville, Victoria as well as a program to train and recruit medical officers. He also visited Korea and Japan in his role as deputy director-general of Army Medical Services.
From 1955 to 1964, William was an Honorary Physician to Queen Elizabeth II and was also appointed director-general of the Commonwealth Department of Health in 1960, a position he held for 13 years. During this time, he introduced free dental care in schools as well as support for scheduled doctors’ fees, which served as the foundation for Medicare years later. In 1966, William was also involved in the importation of dung beetles to Australia as part of a programme to minimise the fly population and bring the sheep and cow dung problems under control. Whilst at the Commonwealth Department of Health he led investigations into Thalidomide, legalising advertising of contraceptives, universal vaccinations, anti-smoking campaigns, improving Aboriginal health, and extending fluoridation.
During his university years, his father died and the family sold their Melbourne home and moved to a farm in the country where William worked whilst finishing his degree. In 1938 he graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and a Master of Surgery and became Resident Medical Officer at the Alfred Hospital the following year.
At the outbreak of WWII, William joined the Australian Imperial Force as a medical officer with the rank of captain. During the war, he saw service in the Middle East, Greece, New Guinea and Borneo. Whilst at the Alfred Hospital, William had met Helen Elizabeth Stanfield (nee Allwright) who was a senior nursing sister and they married in 1942 when William returned briefly from his AIF posting. That same year he was promoted to major and later lieutenant-colonel.
After the war, William’s specialised in obstetrics and gynaecology and became a medical superintendent at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne. He was also a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in London. During the Korean war, when he once again joined the Australian Army, he was promoted to major-general in 1951 and was heavily involved in establishing an Army School of Health in Healesville, Victoria as well as a program to train and recruit medical officers. He also visited Korea and Japan in his role as deputy director-general of Army Medical Services.
From 1955 to 1964, William was an Honorary Physician to Queen Elizabeth II and was also appointed director-general of the Commonwealth Department of Health in 1960, a position he held for 13 years. During this time, he introduced free dental care in schools as well as support for scheduled doctors’ fees, which served as the foundation for Medicare years later. In 1966, William was also involved in the importation of dung beetles to Australia as part of a programme to minimise the fly population and bring the sheep and cow dung problems under control. Whilst at the Commonwealth Department of Health he led investigations into Thalidomide, legalising advertising of contraceptives, universal vaccinations, anti-smoking campaigns, improving Aboriginal health, and extending fluoridation.
affiliations and awards
William’s affiliation with various medical boards and associations, both national and international, was impressive. He chaired the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Commonwealth Council for National Fitness, the National Tuberculosis Council, and the Defence Forces Medical Services Rationalization Committee. He attended several World Health Organization (WHO) meetings as the Chief Australian Delegate and chaired two main committees of the World Health Assembly and the Executive Board of the WHO. He also presided over the 24th World Health Assembly in 1971. His interest in rowing continued throughout his life and in the 1964 Australian Rowing Championships and Olympic Trials, he was a member of the Organising Committee.
He moved to Geneva in 1973 to become Secretary-General of the World Medical Association and re-wrote the Helsinki Declaration of Ethics for the WHO. From 1979 to 1983 he was a member of the National Committee of the Menzies Foundation and later chaired a board, which established the Menzies School of Health Research in Darwin as well as a Menzies Centre for Population Health Research within the University of Tasmania.
In 1944, William was awarded an OBE followed by a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1959 for his services to the Army. Seven years later he was knighted and was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1980. The University of Sydney awarded him with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1988. In 1990 the RSL gave him an ANZAC Peace Prize for his contribution to world health and world peace followed by their highest award, the Meritorious Medal in 1991. From 1989 to his death, William was also a Patron of the Medical Association for Prevention of War.
On 27 May 2009, William died aged 96 and was survived by all of his five children some of whom are mentioned below. Lady Refshauge passed away in 2002.
He moved to Geneva in 1973 to become Secretary-General of the World Medical Association and re-wrote the Helsinki Declaration of Ethics for the WHO. From 1979 to 1983 he was a member of the National Committee of the Menzies Foundation and later chaired a board, which established the Menzies School of Health Research in Darwin as well as a Menzies Centre for Population Health Research within the University of Tasmania.
In 1944, William was awarded an OBE followed by a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1959 for his services to the Army. Seven years later he was knighted and was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1980. The University of Sydney awarded him with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1988. In 1990 the RSL gave him an ANZAC Peace Prize for his contribution to world health and world peace followed by their highest award, the Meritorious Medal in 1991. From 1989 to his death, William was also a Patron of the Medical Association for Prevention of War.
On 27 May 2009, William died aged 96 and was survived by all of his five children some of whom are mentioned below. Lady Refshauge passed away in 2002.
andrew John refshauge (1949-)

Another brother, Andrew Refshauge, was Deputy Premier of New South Wales. He studied medicine at the University of Sydney, and after working in various NSW hospitals in NSW, he worked at the Aboriginal Medical Service in Redferne and later helped establish other centres in the state.
He joined the Australian Labor Party and was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly in 1983 and served as Deputy Premier from 1995 to 2005 when he resigned shortly after Bob Carr’s retirement.
He joined the Australian Labor Party and was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly in 1983 and served as Deputy Premier from 1995 to 2005 when he resigned shortly after Bob Carr’s retirement.
richard refshauge

Richard Refshauge has been a Judge of the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory since 2008. He graduated from the Australian National University in Canberra where he is now also an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Law.
Earlier in his career he was a senior partner with a local law firm before being appointed as an ACT Director of Public Prosecutions.
Richard was involved in the Australian Volunteers International (AVI) organisation for 40 years as a volunteer and later as a member of its board. Just like his aunt, Joan Refshauge, Richard also volunteered in Papua New Guinea.
Earlier in his career he was a senior partner with a local law firm before being appointed as an ACT Director of Public Prosecutions.
Richard was involved in the Australian Volunteers International (AVI) organisation for 40 years as a volunteer and later as a member of its board. Just like his aunt, Joan Refshauge, Richard also volunteered in Papua New Guinea.
kathryn refshauge

The only daughter of Sir William is Kathryn Refshauge who is the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney. She is a leading and widely published researcher who has attracted more than $15 million in grant funding.
Kathryn holds several honorary research appointments both in Australia and abroad and is internationally recognised for her work relating to sports injuries.
She is a board member of Sports Medicine Australia.
Kathryn holds several honorary research appointments both in Australia and abroad and is internationally recognised for her work relating to sports injuries.
She is a board member of Sports Medicine Australia.