Colonial Surgeon (South Australia) facts for kids
The Office of Colonial Surgeon was an important job in South Australia a long time ago. Back then, South Australia was a British colony, which means it was ruled by Britain. The Colonial Surgeon was a government employee who was paid to look after people's health. Their duties were set by the government of the day.
From 1870, this job was often combined with being the surgeon for the Adelaide Lunatic Asylum (a hospital for people with mental health issues). The person doing both jobs didn't get extra pay for being the Colonial Surgeon. The title of Colonial Surgeon was used for a few years even after Australia became a federation of states. It was finally stopped in 1912.
Who Were the Colonial Surgeons?
This section lists the people who held the job of Colonial Surgeon.
- Thomas Young Cotter (until August 1839): He was the first Colonial Surgeon. He was suspended from his job because he didn't do his duties properly.
- James George Nash (August 1839 – March 1857): He took over after Cotter.
- William Gosse (March 1857 – March 1858): He had been working in the role temporarily since 1856. He left the job to become a partner with another doctor.
- Robert Waters Moore (March 1858 – December 1869): He lost his position when the job of Colonial Surgeon was ended for a short time.
- Andrew Stewart Paterson (January 1870 – July 1896): He was first appointed as the surgeon for the Adelaide Lunatic Asylum. He was then given the extra title and duties of Colonial Surgeon, but without any more pay. He retired after taking a long break.
- William Lennox Cleland (July 1896 – November 1912): He had been working in the role temporarily for six months before this, while Paterson was on leave in Europe. He also worked as a surgeon at the Parkside Lunatic Asylum.
The Office of Colonial Surgeon was officially ended in November 1912. Many of its duties and responsibilities were then given to another position called the Inspector-General.
