Dr Jane Hargood

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-110022

Hansard session: Fifty-Seventh Parliament, First Session (57-1)

Dr Jane Hargood

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (19:24):

:13 I acknowledge the long and impressive career of gynaecologist Dr Jane Hargood. In fact, the member for Wagga Wagga might know her. She has practised in my electorate of Oatley for over 15 years. Dr Hargood's past is anything but ordinary, graduating with a degree in medicine at the age of 24 and joining the Royal Australian Navy shortly after. At the age of 27, Jane was practising as a medical officer and became the first female to go to sea with the navy in 1985. Jane rose quickly through the ranks to the position of lieutenant commander following numerous voyages, a feat made even more impressive considering she also had an 18-month-old daughter to care for.

Upon retiring from the navy Jane further solidified her passion for medicine by commencing specialist training at St George Hospital—which, as we all know, is my favourite hospital in the whole country. Jane took her interests overseas, practising in a hospital in London for three years before returning home. Jane became established across Sydney, operating consulting rooms in Hurstville, Bankstown, Miranda and Menai before cementing her practice at St George Private Hospital. However, the late 1990s saw a big shift in landscape for Jane's practice when she relocated to Armidale. The regional town had no specialist obstetrician-gynaecologist, with Jane able to provide support to expecting mothers. She then relocated her practice to Wagga Wagga. I wonder whether the member for Wagga Wagga knows her.

Dr Joe McGirr:

Indeed, I know Jane.

Mr MARK COURE:

She is fantastic. In many ways, Jane's move to Wagga is symbolic of her life. Throughout her working career she has stood up where she is needed, regardless of recognition or glamour. Popular in Wagga, Jane also took up a teaching role as a senior lecturer in gynaecology at the University of New South Wales Rural Clinical School located within the grounds of Wagga Wagga Base Hospital. However, in 2008 Jane and her husband returned to Sydney. She set up her practice in Hurstville—in fact, right next door to my electorate office—where it has remained ever since.

Anyone who has had a child or supported someone through the process of childbirth knows how confronting and deeply personal the experience is. My wife, Adla, had our second child last year and our obstetrician provided an amazing amount of support to both of us. Like any medical professional, the work they do is by no means easy. It is incredibly valuable to expecting families. The calibre of medical professionals in the St George area is outstanding, from new graduates such as the 45 new interns we recently welcomed to St George Hospital to experienced doctors like Jane who have dedicated their careers to improving the health of others. Furthermore, we are fortunate to have some of the best health infrastructure in the State in my electorate of Oatley. Because I cannot help myself, I will once again bring up St George Hospital. It was there that we recently opened an $11.5 million world-class birthing unit, featuring the very latest technology and equipment for maternity care.

While at least in the earlier stages of her career Jane may not have had the same flashy equipment that is available now, she estimates that she has delivered over 5,000 babies. Impressively, some of the babies that Jane has delivered come back to have their own children. I am delighted that this Government has been able to support Jane and people like her throughout their professional careers. Investment in St George Hospital will soon slowly pass $700 million. Last year the Premier announced a new precinct that includes an ambulatory care unit, outpatient and day surgery services, a new rehabilitation unit, an increase in subacute inpatient beds, and a hub for community health and home-based services.

Jane has been a large part of the history of St George Hospital, which has transformed from a small cottage hospital into an area leader. The hospital brings seven new lives into the world every day. Importantly, gender equity in medicine and medical leadership in Australia has still not been achieved, despite gender parity in Australian medical schools. Fighting for gender equity is just another example of Jane dedicating herself to justice throughout her career. After nearly 40 years of practice Jane hung up her scrubs at the end of February. On behalf of the babies delivered, families assisted and lives changed forever, I thank Jane for her longstanding contributions to our local community.