Catherine Broun is still practising as a GP in the small town of Devonport, Tasmania (population 25,000) where she was named Citizen of the Year (link) in 2022 for her dedication to the local community, providing health and wellbeing services for the past almost 50 years.
Dr Broun dreamed of becoming a doctor since primary school and graduated from the University of Liverpool in 1972. She took the opportunity to leave her family and life in England behind and accept a 12-month contract at the Mersey Community Hospital in Tasmania, I.e., the other side of the world!
Twelve months turned into almost five decades, as Dr Broun married and started a family, as well as working tirelessly for the Mersey Community Hospital and later the Devonport Outpatients Hospital, before going into General Practice where she continues to work to this day.
For a large part of that time, Dr Broun was the on-call clinician in the event of sexual assault cases, helping patients at their most vulnerable, and presenting medical evidence during court proceedings.
A mother of four daughters, she believed strongly that a female doctor should always be first on the scene for those who had reported an assault. Dr Broun also served as a volunteer medical representative on the Child Protection Committee.
On the occasion of her Devonport Award, Dr Broun’s daughter shared details of her life’s work, saying, “I share this story not only because we are incredibly proud of our Mum but also because I believe it is one that needs sharing.
It is a story of community contribution, the quiet achievers in our world who are quietly doing amazing things. It is a story of chasing your dreams and finding your passion.
It is a story of female strength and the many hats that parents juggle. Plus, it is a positive story when our world really needs it – one that I hope my children will one day be telling their children. Well done Mum and thank you.”
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