Mayo, Helen Mary (1878-1967)

Also known as
Mayo, Helen M. (Helen Mary) (1878-1967)
Field of activity
Doctor; academic; general practitioner; health reformer; maternal and infant health reformer; physician; women's activist; Physician
Libraries Australia
http://nla.gov.au/anbd.aut-an36591588
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-756061

Biographies

MAYO, HELEN MARY, (1878-1967), medical practitioner, was born on 1 October 1878 in Adelaide, eldest of seven children of George Gibbes Mayo, draughtsman and later civil engineer, and his wife Henrietta Mary, née Donaldson. Educated by a tutor at home—her studies included physics—and for two years at the Advanced School for Girls, she matriculated in 1895 and entered the University of Adelaide next year. Helen enrolled in arts because her father considered her too young to study medicine. She began medical studies in 1898, winning the Davies Thomas scholarship in 1901 and the Everard scholarship in 1902; she was the university's second woman graduate in medicine (1902). After a year as house surgeon at the (Royal) Adelaide Hospital, she left for London where she was a clinical clerk at the Hospital for Sick Children in Great Ormond Street. Following a course in tropical medicine, she gained experience in midwifery in Dublin and at St Stephen's Hospital for women and children in Delhi.

View the full record at Australian Dictionary of Biography Online

Dr Helen Mayo was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Civil) on 3 June 1935 for her maternal and child welfare activities. She worked well past retirement age and established several children's health facilities.

Helen Mayo was educated privately and at the Advanced School for Girls; she matriculated in 1895. Mayo began a medical degree at the University of Adelaide in 1898, and became the university's second woman medical graduate. She gained her doctorate in medicine (MD) in 1926. She opened a private practice in Adelaide in 1906 specialising in midwifery and the health of women and children. She lectured at the University of Adelaide 1926-1934. Mayo also founded the Mothers and Babies' Health Association (1927) which grew out of the School for Mothers she established with social worker Harriet Stirling in 1909. The organisation still exists today, as Child and Youth Health. Stirling and Mayo also set up an independent hospital in 1913 to address the special needs of infant patients. In 1917 it was taken over by the Government and became the Mareeba Babies' Hospital, with Mayo as honorary responsible medical officer.

Mayo also worked for the Adelaide Children's Hospital, lectured at the University of Adelaide, established a donor service for the Red Cross Transfusion Service and chaired a committee which aimed to establish a women's university college. In 1935 Dr Helen Mayo was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Civil) for her maternal and child welfare activities. She was also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, a foundation Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and President of the Australian Federation of University Women.

View the full record at Australian Women's Register

Helen Mary Mayo opened a practice in Adelaide in 1906 specializing in midwifery and the health of women and children. She lectured at the University of Adelaide 1926-34. She also founded the Mothers' and Babies' Health Association and the Mareeba Babies' Hospital.

  • 1901 Award - Davies Thomas Scholarship received from the University of Adelaide
  • 1902 Award - Everard Scholarship received from the University of Adelaide
  • 1902 Education - Bachelor of Medicine (MB) and Bachelor of Surgery (BS) completed at the University of Adelaide, first female graduate in medicine at the University
  • 1902 - 1903 Career position - House Surgeon at the Adelaide Hospital
  • 1903 - 1906 Career position - Clinical Clerk at the Hospital for Sick Children in London and experience in midwifery in Dublin, Ireland and Delhi, India
  • 1906 - ? Career position - Private practice in Adelaide
  • 1911 - 1933 Career position - Clinical Bacteriologist in the Vaccine Department at the Adelaide Hospital
  • 1919 - 1926 Career position - Honorary Assistant Physician at the Adelaide Children's Hospital
  • 1926 Education - Doctor of Medicine (MD) received from the University of Adelaide, first female MD at the University
  • 1926 - 1934 Career position - Clinical Lecturer in medical diseases of children at the University of Adelaide
  • 1926 - 1938 Career position - Honorary Physician at the Adelaide Children's Hospital
  • 1935 Award - Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
  • 1938 - 1940 Career position - Honorary Consulting Physician at the Adelaide Children's Hospital
  • 1940 - 1945 Career position - Senior Paediatric Advisor at the Adelaide Children's Hospital

View the full record at Encyclopedia of Australian Science

Related people and organisations

Australian Women's Register

Resources for Helen Mary Mayo

Selected resources (26)

Australian Dictionary of Biography Online

  1. 'Mayo, Helen Mary (1878 - 1967)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 10, pp 466-467.
    Neville Hicks, Elisabeth Leopold
    [1986]
    Published: Melbourne University Press

Australian Women's Register

  1. Mayo, Helen Mary (1878-1967)Australian Dictionary of Biography Online 10 : Mayo, Helen Mary (1878-1967)
    Hicks, Neville and Leopold, Elisabeth
    [2006]
    Published: Australian National University
    Series: http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A100455b.htm
  2. Some aspects of the history of infant welfare in South AustraliaMedical Journal of Australia 18 June : Some aspects of the history of infant welfare in South Australia
    Mayo, Helen Mary
    [1960]
  3. A very remarkable woman: Dr Helen Mary Mayo, 1978-1967University of Adelaide Library News 13 1 : A very remarkable woman: Dr Helen Mary Mayo, 1978-1967
    Denham, D.
    [1991]
  4. Obituary: Helen MayoSouth Australian Clinics 3 2 : Obituary: Helen Mayo
    MacKay, D. G.
    [1968]
  5. A goodly heritage: an appreciation of the life and work of the late Dr Helen Mayo
    Horan, Margaret Burton
    [1971]
    Published: Australasian Medical Publishing Co.
  6. Helen Mayo200 Australian women : a Redress anthology Radi, Heather 113-114 : Helen Mayo
    MacKinnon, Alison
    [[1988]]
    Published: Women's Redress Press Inc
  7. The Medicals: Laura Hope, Helen Mayo, Rosamund Benham [and] Phyllis ClientoThe New Women: Adelaide's Early Women Graduates : The Medicals: Laura Hope, Helen Mayo, Rosamund Benham [and] Phyllis Cliento
    Mackinnon, Alison
    [1986]
    Published: Wakefield Press
  8. The new women : Adelaide's early women graduates
    Mackinnon, Alison, 1942-
    [1986]
    Published: Wakefield Press
  9. Faith, Hope and Charity Australian Women and Imperial Honours: 1901-1989
    Australian Women's Archives Project
    [2003]
    Published: Australian Women's Archives Project
    Series: http://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/honours/honours.html
  10. Where are the Women in Australian science?
    Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre
    [2003]
    Published: Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre
    Series: http://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/wisa/wisa.html
  11. The hands of a woman: South Australian Medical Women's Society
    [1994]
    Published: Wakefield Press
  12. Private medicine and public health
    Hicks, Neville
    [1986]
    Published: Dept. of Community Medicine, University of Adelaide
  13. S.A.'s greats: the men and women of the North Terrace plaques
    Healey, John
    [2001]
    Published: Historical Society of South Australia
  14. Living in South Australia : a social history
    Elizabeth Kwan
    [1987]
    Published: South Australian Government Printer
  15. 200 Australian Women: A Redress Anthology
    Radi, Heather
    [1988]
    Published: Women's Redress Press
  16. Barr Smith Library, Special Collections, The University of Adelaide: Mayo, Helen Mary
    Some observations on biological therapy. Thesis for M.D. Degree. Typewritten copy.
    09M.D M47
  17. Barr Smith Library, Special Collections, The University of Adelaide: Mayo, Helen Mary [Address] (1971)
    Address delivered at the opening of the Dr. Helen Mayo wing, St. Ann's College, 29th June 1961. Typewriter copy.
    378.942 M473
  18. State Library of South Australia, Mortlock Library of South Australiana: Papers of the Mayo family (1904 - 1965)
    Papers of the Mayo family comprising correspondence, biographical notes, addresses, papers relating to Mothers and Babies Health Association, St. Ann's College and the Australian Federation of University Women of Dr Helen Mayo, correspondence, biographical notes, addresses and publications of Professor Elton Mayo, papers relating to John Christian Mayo, correspondence of Sir Herbert Mayo and papers of Mary Penelope Mayo.
    PRG 127

Encyclopedia of Australian Science

  1. 200 Australian Women: a Redress Anthology
    Radi, H.
    [1988]
    Published: Women's Redress Press Inc
  2. The Medicals: Laura Hope, Helen Mayo, Rosamund Benham [and] Phyllis Cliento, The New Women: Adelaide's Early Women Graduates
    Mackinnon, Alison
    [1986]
    Published: Wakefield Press
  3. Mayo, Helen Mary (1878-1967), Medical PractitionerAustralian Dictionary of Biography Bede Nairn and Geoffrey Serle 10 466-467 : Mayo, Helen Mary (1878-1967), Medical Practitioner
    Hicks, Neville; Leopold, Elisabeth
    [1986]
    Published: Melbourne University Press
  4. Helen Mayo (1878-1967) paediatrician200 Australian Women: A Redress Anthology Heather Radi : Helen Mayo (1878-1967) paediatrician
    Mackinnon, Alison
    [1988]
    Published: Women's Redress Press Inc
  5. The University of Adelaide, 1874-1974
    Duncan, W. and Leonard, R.
    [1973]
    Published: Rigby
  6. Who's Who in Australia 1944
    Alexander, John A.
    [1944]
    Published: The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd
  7. State Library of South Australia, Mortlock Library of South Australiana: Helen Mary Mayo - Records (1878 - 1960)
    Letters received c1906-18 (3 cm); letters to her parents 1904-6 (1 cm); letters from Lady Galway c1919-59 (2 cm); letters to Penelope and John Mayo 1920-33 (2 cm); letters to friends 1933 (4 cm); biographical notes and publications 1960-67; records relating to the Mothers' and Babies' Health Association 1949-c1965 (6 cm); records relating to St Ann's College 1926-65 (4 cm); records relating to the Australian Federation of University Women 1944-45 (1 cm); articles and addresses c1948 (3 items); various manuscript items 1878-1963 (1 cm); various printed items 1909-38 (1 cm); photographs (1 cm and 1 volume).
    PRG 127

No Comments for this person

 

Add a comment



Possibly related

Digitised newspapers and more

Searching...

Minimise

Diaries, letters, archives

Searching...

Minimise

Archived websites (1996 – now)

Searching...

Minimise

Pictures, photos, objects

Searching...

Minimise

Books

Searching...

Minimise

Music, sound and video

Searching...

Minimise

People and organisations

Searching...

Minimise

Journals, articles and data sets

Searching...

Minimise

Maps

Searching...

Minimise

Lists

Searching...

Minimise
  1. Mayo, Herbert, (Sir) (1885-1972)
    ... his Scottish-born wife Henrietta Mary, née Donaldson. George and Helen Mayo were his ...
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.137)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.137)

  1. Website: 200 Australian Women
    www.200australianwomen.com
    Matching pages:
    • Helen Mary Mayo - 5/11/2007
    • ... Mary Mayo]Helen Mayo 1878 - 1967 paediatrician Helen Mary Mayo (1878-1967), doctor, was born...
    View 5 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.091)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.091)

  2. Website: Bright sparcs
    www.asap.unimelb.edu.au
    Matching pages:
    View 9 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.086)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.086)

  3. Website: Australian Women in War
    www.womenaustralia.info
    Matching pages:
    View 43 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.059)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.059)

Pictures, photos, objects

No results

Minimise
  1. Thomas L. Kane and Elizabeth W. Kane Collection
    Kane, Thomas Leiper, 1822-1883; Kane, Elizabeth Wood, 1836-1909
    [ Map, Unpublished : 1762 ]
    View online
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.003)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.003)

  1. Papers
    Mayo, Helen M. (Helen Mary), 1878-1967
    [ Unpublished : 1900-1960 ]
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.208)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.208)

  2. Mayo family
    Mayo family
    [ Unpublished : 1904-1965 ]
    At State Library S Aust
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.088)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.088)

  3. Oak Ridge Cemetery Records, Page 62
    [ Unpublished ]
    View online
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.006)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.006)

  1. The ... Helen Mayo Lecture / Mothers and Babies' Health Association
    Helen Mayo Lecture
    [ Conference Proceedings : 1966-1976 ]
    At 3 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.634)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.634)

  2. [Papers] / Helen Mayo Seminar
    Helen Mayo Seminar
    [ Conference Proceedings : 1977-1980 ]
    At 2 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.267)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.267)

  3. M.B.H.A. Helen Mayo Seminar
    Helen Mayo Seminar
    [ Conference Proceedings : 1977-1980 ]
    At Barr Smith Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 2.738)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 2.738)

  4. The Australian mothercraft Book / by various authors ; editorial committee: Marie Brown, Constance Finlayson, Helen M. Mayo
    Brown, Marie
    [ Book : 1930-1947 ]
    At 9 libraries
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.33)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.33)

  1. Omnibus. TV-Radio Workshop of the Ford Foundation ; producer, Robert Saudek
    Ford Foundation. TV-Radio Workshop
    [ Video : 1952-1959 ]
    Languages: English, Danish, Italian
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.007)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.007)

  2. The life and death of the Mayor of Casterbridge : a story of a man of character / by Thomas Hardy
    Hardy, Thomas, 1840-1928
    [ Book, Audio book : 1900-2010 ]
    Languages: English, Gujarati, Chinese
    View online (access conditions)
    At 72 libraries
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.002)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.002)

  3. The antiquary / by Sir Walter Scott
    Scott, Walter Sir, 1771-1832
    [ Book, Article, Video : 1800-2004 ]
    Languages: English, Undetermined
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 27 libraries
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.001)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.001)

  4. Interview with Anna (Nan) Morrison / Interviewer: Anna Pope
    Morrison, Anna
    [ Sound : 2004 ]
    At State Library S Aust
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.001)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.001)

  1. The ... Helen Mayo Lecture / Mothers and Babies' Health Association
    Helen Mayo Lecture
    [ Conference Proceedings : 1966-1976 ]
    At 3 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.985)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.985)

  2. [Papers] / Helen Mayo Seminar
    Helen Mayo Seminar
    [ Conference Proceedings : 1977-1980 ]
    At 2 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.61)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.61)

  3. M.B.H.A. Helen Mayo Seminar
    Helen Mayo Seminar
    [ Conference Proceedings : 1977-1980 ]
    At Barr Smith Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.142)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.142)

  4. A very remarkable woman: Dr Helen Mary Mayo, 1878/ 1967
    Denholm, Decie
    University of Adelaide Library News
    [ Article : 1991 ]
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 0.837)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 0.837)

  1. Dr. Belts Memorial Fund
    The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954) Saturday 20 November 1943 p 7 Article
    ... Dr. Belts Memorial Fund Previously acknowledged £1,096 18 51 Dr. Helen Mayo and Dr. Constances Finlayson. £3 3/: Dr. J. R. Cornish. £21 2/; K. J. O. Godfrey. £2 2/; E.M.H. £1 10/; Mr. and Mrs. E. D. ... Miss Mary Hardy. 5/: J. and S. F. R. Murray. 5/. Total '.. . £1.109 IS 11 ... 72 words
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.01)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.01)

  2. MOVEMENTS OF LOCAL VESSELS.
    The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) Saturday 20 May 1899 p 2 Article
    ... I MOVEMENTS OF LOCAL VESSELS. | Ethel, barque, left Hobart January 23, and arrived at London on May 15. Mary Wadley, barquentine. left Garden Island Creek on 6 for Adelaide. Knssa, barque, left ... 10 for Southport. Helen, whaling barque, loft Hobart May 13 for a cruise. ... 81 words
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.009)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.009)

  3. THE ADELAIDE HOSPITAL.
    The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931) Thursday 25 December 1902 p 4 Article
    ... THE ADELAIDE HOSPITAL The following appointments were made by the Executive Council on Wednesday morning in connection with the Adelaide Hospital:-Helen Mary Mayo, M no, Alexander Kuan Caw. Arthur Ros^ Cl.ijton, Pi.inci Picdeiitk Muee'vc, and Clement Virtoi Well- to be icsidcnt medical olhcer- ... 74 words
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.008)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.008)