Ellen Balaam

Australian physician (1891-1985)

Ellen Balaam

in 1915

Born|

Ellen Maud Balaam

30 November 1891

Melbourne, Victoria

Died| 1985
Nationality| Australian
Occupation| Physician

Ellen Balaam (1891–1985) was an Australian physician and the first woman surgeon in Melbourne.

## Early life and education

[edit]

Drs Ellen Balaam, Annie Bennett and Gweneth Wisewould and a nurse at the Women’s Hospital in 1915[1]

Ellen Maud Balaam was born on 30 November 1891 in Melbourne, Victoria to Harry and Ellen Balaam.[2] Inspired at a young age to pursue a medical career,[3] she attended Melbourne Continuation School (later MacRobertson's Girls High School) from 1906 to 1908[4] where she won a scholarship at the end of primary school to continue her schooling at high school. She won a further scholarship to attend university,[5] and enrolled in medicine at the University of Melbourne. She taught mathematics at a public school in order to supplement this scholarship.[3] She graduated in 1915 with her M.D., with second class honours in all subjects.

## Career

[edit]

Balaam was appointed to a resident medical officer position at the Melbourne Hospital[6] the following year. She married her classmate, Dr Thomas Wright in 1916,[7] and they both served as medical officers. They went into practice together,[8] before Balaam was appointed to a clinical assistant position at the Queen Victoria Hospital in 1917. She was steadily promoted over the next years to a full-time position and surgeon in 1924. One of the first women to practise general surgery in Melbourne.[citation needed][9] She continued to practise medicine and surgery until 1952, when she retired. Her husband died in 1964.[3]

Balaam died in 1985.[2]

## Legacy

[edit]

Balaam was a supporter of the Melbourne Continuation School.[4] The Dr Ellen Balaam Award for Promise in Science award is given in her name by the Palladian Society (past pupils) of the School.[10]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Kevey, Donna (23 February 2022). "Celebrating carers, advocates and reformers at The Women's". Newsroom. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
2. ^ a b "Balaam - Ancestry.com.au". search.ancestry.com.au. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
3. ^ a b c Ogilvie, Marilyn; Harvey, Joy (2000). The biographical dictionary of women in science. Routledge. p. 72\. ISBN 0415920388.
4. ^ a b Parker, Pauline F. (2006). "Girls, Empowerment and Education: A History of The Mac.Robertson Girls' High School 1905–2005" (PDF).
5. ^ "EDUCATION EXHIBITIONS". Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954). 28 January 1909. p. 4. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
6. ^ "Ellen Maud Balaam(1892-1985) studying with other students in the students' room at the Melbourne Hospital". Vernon Browser. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
7. ^ "Family Notices". Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957). 29 July 1916. p. 13. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
8. ^ "PERSONAL". Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957). 24 May 1916. p. 8. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
9. ^ "ABOUT PEOPLE". Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954). 2 February 1924. p. 16. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
10. ^ "More Speech Night Awards ..." Retrieved 25 June 2017.