MBE
- Occupation
- Medical practitioner
- Alternative Names
- O'Day, Una (married name)
Summary
Una Shergold was educated at the University of Melbourne, graduating MB BS in 1939. She was resident medical officer at St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne in 1940 and at the Children's Hospital, Melbourne from 1941 to 1942. From 1951 to 1967 she worked at the General Clinic of the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. Sometime patron of Cystic Fibrosis Victoria, her contribution to children's health earned her a place on an honour roll of 250 significant Australian women from the past and present that was read out in Victoria's Parliament House on 7 May 2001. She was appointed MBE - Member of The Order of the British Empire (Civil) - 31 December 1980 for medicine (as Mrs O'Day).
Sources used to compile this entry: Medical Directory of Australia 1970, p.747; Gender Education website http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/gender/projects/honroll2.htm.
Una Shergold.
My mother used to tell me quite often about how a doctor Una Shergold either saved my life or revived me from death. I had contracted whooping cough at 6 weeks of age (1945) and I was being treated by doctor Shergold. At dinnertime Dr Shergold knocked loudly at our door and brushed past my mother to rush to my room. She had ridden her push bike to our house in Essendon, purely on a premonition that there was something wrong. My mother who was preparing the family dinner was not aware of any change in my health status. I was found to be not breathing and was blue around the mouth. The doctor injected a large needle in my abdomen and then three times swung me by my ankles and thumped me on a bed. I then apparently coughed and revived. All this was related to me by my mother and naturally I cannot verify it other than my late mother used to tell it quite openly and said that Una Shergold (and her husband) were involved with the Royal Children's Hospital. By that link it indicates that they are both the same doctor.
I pass this on as further background for Una Shergold for those who may be interested.
Peter Black.
Peter Black - 27 September 2010, 4:08 PM EST
Dear Peter,
Many, many thanks for passing this on. The personal stories attached to bigger themes are what makes history come to life.
AWAP Administrator - 27 September 2010, 4:14 PM EST