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Patrick-James-Flanagan-Medical Health-Officer2

Page history last edited by Lenore Frost 2 years, 4 months ago

Time Travellers in Essendon, Flemington and the Keilor Plains

Biographies

 

Patrick-James-Flanagan-Medical Health-Officer   Part 1

 

 

Family Life

 

In 1911 Nellie Flanagan died, and was buried in the Daley family plot. In 1913 her estate was probated, it being divided between Dr Flanagan and her siblings. That same year Patrick married the 25 year old Irene Lily Magennis. She was the daughter of former grazier William and Elizabeth Magennis now living in Ascot ValePatrick probably became acquainted with the family through her brother William Howard Dowd Magennis. Bill had been born in 1884had attended Scotch College and been admitted as a barrister in 1907. Passionate about hunting, Magennis joined the Oaklands Hunt  in 1908. After his marriage Bill Magennis and family lived at Thorley in Holmes Road, stabling his horses there  and hacking over the heights of Aberfeldie.

 

In 1935 Scotchie Magennis was made a Judge of Victoria’s County Court and

Master of the Oaklands Hunt. Image The Oaklands Hunt.

 

 

War

 

Dion Titheradge. Actor, play and screenwriter, he was the brother of the actress

 Madge Titheradge born also at Netley in 1887 Image Wikipedia

 

Dr and Mrs Flanagan continued living at Netley, which the doctor had purchased in 1912. A daughter, Joan Kathleen, was born in 1914, and a son, Dion Gavan in 1917. This was the second Dion to be born at Netley, the first being the son of the actor George Titheradge. Given that the doctor had previously run a successful horse called Titheradge, there must been some friendship between the families.

 

During the war additional work would have fallen to Dr Flanagan, as 50% of Australian doctors enlisted in the 1st AIF and served abroad. His extra cases at this time included attending those injured by an exploding dirigible balloon and investigating the (in)sanitation at the Showgrounds Army camp. Races continued as did the deaths and injuries to jockeys.[1] Dr Pat was now an acknowledged expert in head injuries and fast cars were sent for him to attend accidents as far distant as Sunbury. Famous jockeys such as George Scobie credited him with saving their lives. The relief of the war’s end was blighted by the death in November 1918 of brother Andy, and a warm public rebuke by the Coroner for wrongfully certifying a suspicious death.

 

 

Pandemic

 

The first conflict free Christmas had barely passed when the doctor faced a new challenge. By the end of January 1919, eleven mild cases of the Spanish Influenza had been  reported in Essendon. Dr Flanagan  issued edicts closing picture theatres and halls, and 150 citizens were inoculated at the Town Hall. As the epidemic spread schools, churches and facilities closed, the wearing of masks became common, streets were sprayed with disinfectant. The doctor had to attend many meetings with Council, conferences of Medical Officers and oversee the establishment of the Essendon Influenza Hospital at the High School, local depots and the two Municipal visiting nurses. By the end of February local doctors had inoculated over 10,000 citizens, and there had been 463 influenza cases. After a short reprieve there was a second outbreak in April. There were twelve deaths in a fortnight at the hospital. Dr Flanagan’s 1919 Annual Report noted 80 influenza deaths in the municipality.[2]

 

 

Pollution of the Waterways

 

Although Essendon and Flemington were adjoining municipalities, socially they were worlds apart. Flemington was a low lying, closely settled district, home to Melbourne’s stockyards abattoirs and associated industries such as candle works, bone mills, tanneries and wool scourers. They were noxious trades, but provided employment, and so rate revenue to the Council.

 

Essendon had been developed later, and preened itself on being an elevated, healthy, good class, garden suburb. There was less industry and more quality residential dwellings. Essendon Council and the good burghers focused much energy on preventing the incursion of unsavory trades and reducing the impact of those that existed. One major focus was the effort to preserve, clean up and beautify the Saltwater River. The river could and did provide many recreational opportunities, and so was an inducement to settle in the area. Dr Flanagan’s public health campaigns indicated he shared and reflected the concerns of Council. He spoke frankly in his annual reports, at conferences, at noxious trades license hearings, at delegations to Ministers and many meetings. He described the sickening emanations from the insufferable nuisance industries; declared them prejudicial to public health; injurious to his patients; personally nauseating; condemned the denial of the right to pure air; pointed out that flies were encouraged so endangering the food supply and said that continuation of the trades was criminal. At a 1920 inquiry, when pressed, he became personal, stating that his own daughter was dangerously ill, and fresh air was essential for her, but owing to the stenches it was impossible to open the doors and windows. In 1917 Council commended his evidence and work in this respect. However, there were many vested interests and government inertia with which to contend.  

 

He was still advocating in 1926 when his report to Council was described as sad reading to him and others. His conclusion was I am positively certain that pollution of the river from some of the noxious trades still continues, and it is extremely regrettable that the offenders cannot be caught and adequately punished by having their licenses cancelled and any other penalty which the law can inflict.

 

 

 Infectious Diseases in Schools

 

By the turn of the century Essendon’s three State Schools all had worn, ill-maintained buildings and multiple temporary structures. All were seriously overcrowded, the numbers of pupils frequently reaching 1,000. Local halls were often used to accommodate the numbers that could not be squeezed into classrooms. There were regular outbreaks of measles, whooping cough, mumps, tuberculosis, chickenpox, diphtheria and scarlet fever, causing schools to be closed down and fumigated. Every year Dr Flanagan spoke against families hiding illness, sending unwell or convalescent children to school, refusing admission to the Queen Victoria Infectious Diseases hospital at Fairfield and breaking isolation. Adrian Jones’ history of Essendon Primary describes the impact on families for whom school epidemics were an ever present fear. Such childhood disease could be fatal or leave a child debilitated.  The unsewered, oldest school, Raleigh St, Essendon was the worst and became the focus of a campaign lasting many years. The parent community were vocal, accompanying the Council’s officer on delegations to the Education Department, refusing to send children to school and holding public protest meetings in the Town Hall. In 1916 the doctor spoke on the overcrowding and diseases issue when the Minister for Education officially visited the school. New buildings were promised, and opened in 1922. Dr Flanagan’s reports show that cases of diphtheria fell from 110 in 1921 to 62 in 1925 and scarlet fever declined from 90 to 61, with no epidemics in 1925 of any infectious diseases.

 

 

Standoff

 

When he arrived in the colony in 1890 Dr Gresswell had commented on the tokenistic salary paid to District Health Officers. Over the years the Central Board recommended increases in salaries, but each individual Council made its own decision. When he was appointed at Essendon Dr Flanagan’s salary was £50. In 1919 a New Health Act was proclaimed which became operational in March 1920. The Health Commission issued a new General Code of Duties for Medical Officers of Health in July 1920. They followed up with a circular to Councils regarding a reasonable remuneration for Medical Officers based on population and area to be covered. The recommendation for Essendon £150 a year, but the Essendon Council declined to pay that sum.[3] Dr Flanagan then resigned in November 1921. The Council advertised a number of times for a replacement at £100 pa, but received no applications. The medical profession blacklisted the position, considering that Dr. Flanagan had not received fair treatment from the Council.

 

The standoff continued with the Council re-advertising at £150 a year. Dr Flanagan was the only applicant, but the Council refused to reappoint him as they evidently saw this as eating humble pie. The municipality had been without a Medical Officer for seven months, and the Health Commission demanded that an appointment be made. Instead, the Council asked that the Health Commission to make an appointment. Legal questions arose, and the Solicitor General’s opinion was sought. It was September 1922 before it was announced that Dr Flanagan had been appointed at £150 pa. The Council publicly justified this by indicating that no doctor was available who was also a Returned Serviceman and willing to reside in the district. The Council was indirectly reprimanded in the Commission’s 1922 Annual Report.

 

 

 

1920-1930

 

Two inches (5 cm) of rain fell in 24 hours and all sporting and outdoor events were cancelled.

However the Moonee Valley Cup went ahead. The deluge did not deter Dr Flanagan who

always had a pound or two on a race.  Table Talk October 1920.

 

Dr Flanagan continued to attend the racecourse, taking his recreation and applying his professional skills. Jockeys continued to need attendance after ugly falls, many of which proved fatal. During this decade Dr Pat attended six jockeys who were killed on Melbourne racecourses. Equine injuries and deaths became the focus of the Victorian Society for the Protection of Animals, and the Purple Cross, which was a service established in wartime to provide comforts to troops’ horses. Both organizations campaigned against the cruelty of steeplechasing, aiming to abolish hurdle races. Their statistics showed that in the two years, 1923-1925, there were 476 accidents in steeplechase events on metropolitan courses. Thirty-three horses were killed as a result. The VATC and VRC promised consideration and some changes to hurdle style were introduced. However, the VRC still maintained that jumps had to be a test of mettle. The doctor experienced a different form of fatal accident when in 1926 he was called to victims of a plane crash at Glenroy.

 

The end of the decade was marked by a rapprochement of sorts between Essendon Council and their Medical Officer. The Essendon Swimming Baths had been finally erected in 1915 and was  a well patronized facility. In 1929 reports circulated, alleging insanitary conditions leading to infections. Dr Flanagan presented a report countering the allegations and commending the baths’ management. Council expressed themselves satisfied with the tone of the report. They did not comment on his observation that the women’s section of the baths was not sewered.

 

Although he was no longer a first flight man or high flyer, Dr Flanagan continued to attend hunt meetings till the end of the 1930s. The Hunt met at various locations north of Melbourne, both riding with the hounds and for point to point races. Sixty riders and more covered some 7-10 miles and jumping three dozen post and rail fences, creeks, gullies and stone fences. Meetings were attended by thousands who made it a picnic day. Additionally there were regular hunt race meetings over hurdles  at Moonee Valley. There both gentlemen and professional riders wore silks. Photo The Australasian The straight goers at Tullamarine, 1903.

  

 

The Last Decade

 

The end of life is normally marked by losses and so it was with Dr Pat. However this was offset by the growing to adulthood of his children and the sharing of their lives and achievements. His wife Lily Flanagan does not appear to have a public life and the limited mentions relate to descriptions of her dress on social  occasions.  Joan attended Penleigh for her primary schooling. Her secondary education was at Melbourne Church of England Girls Grammar in South Yarra, followed by enrollment for an Arts degree at the University of Melbourne. At MCEGGS she had participated in theatricals and later she joined the University Dramatic Players and the Gregan McMahon theatre company. She took leading roles and was well reviewed. Joan also made regular appearances in the VRC members’ enclosure and society events. The Flanagans holidayed at Portsea and the Magennis holiday home at Sorrento. Gavan attended Northern Grammar in Raleigh St before transferring to Melbourne Grammar School, where he became a member of the rowing crew. He entered the medical school at the University of Melbourne, participated in Medical Medleys performances and achieved a full Blue in boxing.

 

Joan’s 21st birthday in September 1934 was marked by a late afternoon party at Netley. Both she and her mother wore black with touches of silver and white. Colour was provided by bowls of golden daffodils and poppies adorning the rooms. Shortly after, Joan left to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. The following year was an annus horriblis which included Gavan’s involvement in a fatal car crash, the death of Elizabeth Magennis, the doctor’s dramatic collapse at Flemington racecourse, and a car crash. Lily Flanagan became very ill and died in December 1935. Reports describe the doctor’s extreme distress and subsequent poor health. Joan returned for a two month visit early the following year but then resumed her study and career in London.

 

In 1938 Essendon Council introduced compulsory retirement for officers over the age of 65. Now aged 72 years, Dr Flanagan accordingly resigned, but continued in his position for another six months as Council could not make an appointment. In December he finally retired after 35 years as Essendon Council’s Medical Officer. The Council granted him an honorarium of £75.

 

Gavan continued his studies, living at Netley until his enlistment in the 2nd AIF. Dr Flanagan was occasionally reported as being at races reminiscing about all the bones he had set and the best jockeys he had seen. His health continued indifferent, and in mid-1940 he died the Royal Melbourne Hospital where he had trained some 51 years before. His passing was noted in many newspapers, his skills and achievements noted, and he was praised as one of the best liked men ever to go racing.

 

Joan Flanaganan exceptional girl, continued her acting career under the stage name of Jane Meredith. She worked at the Old Vic, travelling in 1937 with the company to Denmark where they performed Hamlet at Elsinore. Lawrence Oliver and Vivian Leigh took the leads and Tyrone Guthrie was the producer. She also worked in reputed repertory companies and in broadcasting. During the war she drove an ambulance in the London blitz, then toured with ENSA entertaining the troops throughout the UK and Europe. In 1947 she married a British Cable and Wireless official, Ralph Stewart Smith and settled in Malta. Photo Table Talk April 1932.

 

 

Gavan Flanagan completed his medical degree, was commissioned as a Captain with the AAMC and served during the war with a Commando Company in New Guinea and the Islands. On his discharge in 1946 he took post graduate qualifications in Psychiatry, worked in Western Australia then returned to Victoria. He became a well-known Collins Street specialist with a special interest in the repatriation of ex-servicemen. The doctor's four grandsons all were involved at different levels with the arts. Kendal Flanagan became a renowned television director and Nicholas Flanagan a NIDA graduate actor playwright and composer.  Julian and Jeremy Flanagan have also been involved in the the production side of the arts.  Photo: The Australasian  March 1943.

 

 

©M Kenny 2020

 

 

Acknowledgments For their assistance at this difficult time Alex Bragiola, Peter Willoughby, Lenore Frost, Cathy Atkinson and Nicholas Flanagan.

 

 

References

 

Due to the 2020 COVID19 pandemic, most primary sources were not available to be consulted.

 

PROV Wills and Probate,

NAA B2455 Service files

Sands and MacDougall Directories, MMBW plans

Victorian BDM, Cemetery Records

Newspapers Multiple including Essendon Gazette, The Advertiser North Melbourne, The Advocate, Age, Argus, Weekly Times, The Sportsman, Sporting Globe, Freemans Journal SMH, Punch, Table Talk

Victorian Government Gazette, Parliamentary Papers Data base

Australian Dictionary of Biography

Cameron-Kennedy; D. F. The Oaklands Hunt, 1888-1988: a chronicle of events. Melbourne, 1989

Chalmers R Annals of Essendon. Essendon Historical Society: Moonee Ponds, 1998

Frost L Essendon and the Boer War: with letters from the Veldt, 1899-1902. The Author:  Essendon, Vic. : 2002 

Jones A Follow the Gleam: A History of Essendon Primary School 1850-2000. Australian Scholarly Publishing: Kew, 2000 

Kovesi. C Pitch your tents on distant shores: a history of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in Australia. Playright Publishing: Caringbah, N. S. W. , 2010  

Pacini J. A Century galloped by: the first hundred years of the Victoria Racing Club. Victoria Racing Club: Melbourne, 1988

 


[1] In one week in 1912 six jockeys were killed in the various States.

[2] Victoria  had 4856 death from the influenza.

[3] Essendon Council had form with respect to this. In 1893 they had reduced the Medical Officer’s salary from £100 to £50. The MO, Dr Fishbourne resigned in protest.

 

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