100 year’s of Australia’s health

Dr Michael Wooldridge, Minister for Health and Aged Care,has launched his Department’s commemorative history book, Putting Life Into Years: The Commonwealth’s Role in Australia’s Health Since 1901.

The book was commissioned by the Department to celebrate the three themes of the Centenary of Federation, 100 years of an Australian Public Service and the 80th birthday of the Department of Health.

‘This book is an excellent resource that will be of use to researchers and students of both Australia’s history and the health sector. It is an important publication that documents a significant part of Australia’s history,’ Dr Wooldridge said.

‘The activities of the Department touch every Australian at some point in their lives. Whether it be immunisation, Medicare, private health insurance, drug safety, aged care or simply seeing your doctor, the Department has had some role to play,’ the Minister said. Departmental Secretary, Mr Andrew Podger said, ‘We now have a truly national health and aged care system with a unique balance of Commonwealth and State responsibilities, and public and private arrangements. I am particularly pleased that the Commonwealth’s role is not simply about financing but is now firmly focussed on health outcomes.

‘The Centenary of Federation reminds us that it is important to learn from our history as we look to the future. This book is a wonderful contribution to the Centenary celebrations, including the history of the Australian Public Service.’

Putting Life Into Years tells the story of the Commonwealth’s involvement in the health of Australians, from its modest beginnings in 1921 to today. It moves through each decade of the 20th century, highlighting major events in health and placing them in the broader context of Australia’s first century as a nation. The book is aimed at the general reader, and details significant events in the history of health in Australia. Events include:

• The quarantine of and examination of seamen, their ships and provisions – which was an early role of the Department;
• The Black Plague outbreak in Sydney in 1900, which was considered an act of god at the time. Over 28 000 tons of rubbish were burned, and 17 000 rats were destroyed to combat the menace;
• The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 which claimed 12 000 Australian lives. The quarantine efforts put in place to combat the outbreak included instructing citizens to wear facemasks in church; and
• The mass chest X-ray screening of 1925 which contributed to the eradication of silicosis among miners, and the early identification and treatment of tuberculosis sufferers.

The final chapter of the book raises some issues for the new century. It cautions against complacency in the face of the remarkable technological achievements of the past fifty years. While science is making extraordinary discoveries which may prolong life, and even create it, it is still up to human beings to ensure that such discoveries are handled in a humane and ethical way.

Putting Life Into Years will be available soon from Ausinfo and selected bookshops, and is available in both soft and hard cover versions. Copies can also be ordered by contacting Daniel Gleeson on (02) 6289 1019 or daniel.gleeson@health.gov.au.

Interviews can be arranged with the book’s author, Francesca Beddie and Departmental Secretary Mr Andrew Podger.