Philip Nitschke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Philip Nitschke
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Nitschke in 2016
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| Born | 8 August 1947 Ardrossan, South Australia, Australia
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| Education | University of Adelaide (B.Sc.) Flinders University (PhD), University of Sydney (Sydney Medical School) (M.B.B.S.) |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Medical career | |
| Profession | Physician and author |
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Philip Haig Nitschke (born 8 August 1947) is an Australian humanist, author, and former doctor. He is known for his work in supporting people's choices about their final days. Nitschke has faced challenges from authorities because of his views. In 2015, he gave up his medical license due to disagreements with the Medical Board of Australia.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Philip Nitschke was born in 1947 in Ardrossan, South Australia. His parents, Harold and Gweneth, were school teachers.
Studying Physics
Nitschke first studied physics at the University of Adelaide. In 1972, he earned a PhD in laser physics from Flinders University.
Working with Aboriginal Communities
After his physics studies, Nitschke chose a different path. He traveled to the Northern Territory to work with Aboriginal land rights activist Vincent Lingiari. He joined the Gurindji at Wave Hill. After the land was returned to the Gurindji people by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, Nitschke became a park ranger.
Becoming a Doctor
Nitschke's career as a ranger ended after he injured his foot. He then decided to study medicine. He had always been interested in health and hoped that studying medicine would help him understand his own health worries better. He graduated from the University of Sydney Medical School in 1989.
Early Career and Advocacy
After becoming a doctor, Nitschke worked at Royal Darwin Hospital. He also worked as a general practitioner, helping patients after hours.
Political Involvement
Nitschke has run for political office in Australia. In 1996, he ran in the federal election for the Australian Greens party in the Northern Territory. He was not elected. In 2007, he ran against politician Kevin Andrews in the Victorian seat of Menzies, but was also unsuccessful.
Founding Exit International
Nitschke started a group called Exit International in 1997. This group provides information and support to people who want to make choices about their end of life.
Police Actions in New Zealand
In 2016, New Zealand police conducted an operation called "Operation Painter." They stopped people attending an Exit International meeting and took down their names and addresses. Some older members of the group had their homes searched by police, and items like computers and books were taken. Nitschke said these actions were unusual and might have gone against people's rights. An investigation later found that the police operation was illegal.
Internet and Information Access
Nitschke's work has faced challenges with internet access.
Online Information Blocking
In 2009, it was revealed that the Australian Government had added an online guide called Peaceful Pill Handbook to a list of websites that would be blocked. This list was used to filter internet access for people in Australia. The government planned to block websites that were "refused classification."
Teaching Ways to Access Information
In 2010, Nitschke started holding "Hacking Masterclasses." These classes taught people how to get around the internet filter so they could still access information. He also looked into setting up special internet connections (like proxy servers or VPNs) for Exit International members.
YouTube Channel Removal
In January 2018, YouTube removed Nitschke's channel, "Exityourtube," which had been online for 10 years. YouTube did not give a reason for deleting the account without notice.
Comedy Career
Philip Nitschke has also performed as a comedian.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
In August 2015, he started his comedy career at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a show called Dicing with Dr Death. Reviewers described it as "engaging and highly thought-provoking."
Australian Performances
He performed a new version of his show, called Practising without a License, at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in April 2016. He also performed it in Darwin in August 2016. The Herald Sun newspaper praised his performance, saying he "presented his case with such measure, warm humour and intelligence."
Awards and Recognition
- In 1996, Nitschke received the Rainier Foundation Humanitarian Award.
- In 1998, he was named the Australian Humanist of the Year by the Council of Australian Humanist Societies.
- He has been nominated nine times for Australian of the Year (from 2005 to 2014) and was a finalist for the state award twice (in 2005 and 2006).
Books by Philip Nitschke
Nitschke has written several books.
The Peaceful Pill Handbook
This book was first published in print in the U.S. in 2006. Nitschke wrote it with Fiona Stewart. An online version of the handbook is updated often. The book is not allowed or has limited sales in Australia and New Zealand.
The online version of the handbook was launched in 2008. It has also been published in other languages:
- A German edition, Die Friedliche Pille, was published in 2011.
- A French edition, La Pilule Paisible (later renamed Pilule Douce), was published in 2015.
- An Italian edition, La Pillola della Quiete, came out online in 2017.
- A Dutch edition, Handboek De Vredige Pil, was published in print and online in 2018.
Damned If I Do
This book is Nitschke's autobiography, written with Peter Corris. It was published in 2013. The book tells his personal story, from his early life and student activism to his work with Aboriginal land rights groups in Australia.
Film and Television
35 Letters
In 2014, Nitschke was featured in a documentary film called 35 Letters. The film is about Angelique Flowers, a young Australian woman who was a member of Exit International and died from bowel cancer at age 30. The film first showed at the Sydney Film Festival in 2014 and won an award there.
See also
In Spanish: Philip Nitschke para niños
- Terminal illness
- Jack Kevorkian
Images for kids
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Nitschke in 2016
