Chris Davis
27 November 2014: Stories about female Australian Army doctors and medical professionals who've served in war and peacekeeping operations over the past century are the focus of a new book co-authored by a University of Canberra academic.
Not for Glory: A century of service by medical women to the Australian Army and its Allies, was co-authored by Sharon Mascall-Dare, adjunct associate professor of journalism at the University of Canberra.
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UC's Sharon Mascall-Dare and co-author Susan Neuhaus at the launch of their new book 'Not for Glory'. Photo: Chris Davis |
The book was launched by the Chief of Army Lieutenant General David Morrison AO during an event at the Australian War Memorial on 19 November.
Dr Mascall-Dare said the book looks at the women who served as doctors and medical specialists, from Egypt and the Western Front in World War I right up to the recent war in Afghanistan.
"The book tells the stories of outstanding women who have served in the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps from World War I until the present day," Dr Mascall-Dare, an award-winning BBC documentary producer, said.
"As Australia prepares to mark the ANZAC Centenary, we have highlighted the contributions of many women whose stories have not been told before."
The idea for the book came from her co-author Susan Neuhaus, associate professor of conflict medicine at the University of Adelaide, a retired Royal Australian Army Medical Corps colonel who served in Cambodia, Bougainville and Afghanistan.
In 2009, she was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross for outstanding achievement in the provision of medical support as the Commanding Officer of the 3rd Health Support Battalion. Her experiences as a doctor in war and conflict zones are included in the book.
"This book highlights the significant contribution that women have made to military medicine throughout the past century," Associate Professor Neuhaus said. " Not for Glory tells the stories of pioneering, courageous women who overcame adversity to serve their country. Their stories are inspiring and worthy of recognition as we mark the ANZAC Centenary."
