Extract date: 19/06/2025
| Name | John Hargrave |
|---|---|
| Type Designation | Park |
| Place Id | 18535316 |
| Place Type | Park or Cemetery |
| Status | Registered |
| Date Registered | 23 January 2025 |
| Location (Datum GDA94) | |
| Latitude: -12° 28' S (Decimal degrees -12.47349) | |
| Longitude: 131° 00' E (Decimal degrees 131.00639) | |
| Locality / Suburb | |
| Holtze | |
| Local Government Area | |
| Litchfield Council | |
| History/Origin | John Charles Hargrave was born on 26 March 1931 in Perth, Western Australia, to Norman Hargrave, originally from Yorkshire, England, and Madeleine Nellie Hargrave, née Moir, from Tasmania. The youngest of two children, John grew up in a family that valued education and public service. Tragically, he lost his father at a young age. Hargrave pursued a medical degree at the University of Adelaide, where he developed a keen interest in tropical medicine. After graduating, he was posted to Alice Springs in 1956, where his career in Aboriginal health began in earnest. There, he investigated the correlation between disease prevalence in Aboriginal settlements and the surrounding environmental conditions. His work during this period shed light on the critical public health challenges faced by Aboriginal communities. In 1957, Hargrave participated as a medical officer in the Lake McKay expedition, where he encountered the Pintupi people, who had limited contact with non-Indigenous Australians. This experience deepened his commitment to improving healthcare for Aboriginal populations. Recognising the need for specialised knowledge, he travelled to London in the late 1950s to obtain a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, which further equipped him to address the unique medical challenges in Australia?s remote regions. Upon his return, Hargrave took up the role of Medical Superintendent at the East Arm Leprosarium in 1959. His compassionate and culturally sensitive approach earned him the trust of Aboriginal communities, many of whom had previously avoided Western health services. Hargrave?s work was characterised by his belief in the power of collaboration and respect, which led to significant improvements in the care of Aboriginal patients with leprosy. In 1962, his expertise was recognised with a World Health Organisation scholarship to study leprosy treatment in India, further enhancing his knowledge and skills. In the early 1980s, Hargrave was appointed the inaugural NT Director of Aboriginal Health. In this role, he initiated the first formal training programs for Aboriginal health workers, recognising the importance of empowering Indigenous communities to manage their own healthcare. Hargrave?s contributions were instrumental in the near elimination of leprosy in the Northern Territory, a remarkable achievement that transformed the health landscape for many Aboriginal communities. Throughout his career, Hargrave was more than a medical professional; he was a mentor and an advocate for the people he served. He shared his knowledge freely, not only with his colleagues but also with the Aboriginal health workers he trained, who went on to make significant contributions to their communities. His work extended beyond Australia; in 1990, he established the Australian South East Asia Rehabilitation Service, providing medical services to remote communities in East Timor and eastern Indonesia. His international work was recognised in 2007 when he received the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons International Medal. John Hargrave was known for his respectful and engaging manner, his willingness to learn the languages of his patients, and his innovative approach to healthcare. He even learned to fly to better serve remote communities, demonstrating his deep commitment to improving access to medical care. Described by contemporaries as a ?hero? and a ?living saint,? Hargrave left a lasting legacy, including bequests that fund annual scholarships in surgery and Aboriginal health with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Menzies School of Health Research. His passing on 6 August 2020 in Hobart, Tasmania, marked the end of a remarkable life dedicated to service and the betterment of others. |
| Date | Gazettal | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 23/01/2025 | S2024/120 | Certified Plan |