Sister Philippa Brazill
Encyclopedia
Sister Mary Philippa Brazill, DBE
, LLD (25 December 1896, County Limerick, Ireland — 1 January 1988), generally known as Sister Philippa, was an Australia
n nursing educator and administrator.
Born as Josephine Brazill, she completed her secondary education at Sacred Heart College, Geelong, before commencing her religious training in 1915. She took the religious name of Sister Mary Philippa after entering the Sisters of Mercy
on 10 January 1918, aged 21. After graduating from the Teachers' Training College at Ascot Vale, she taught at several schools in Victoria, Australia. In 1928 she entered the nursing staff of St Benedict's Hospital, Malvern, which had been acquired by the Sisters of Mercy.
She completed her training at Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Brisbane
. She toured several American
hospitals over a period of at least six months, gather ideas for incorporation into the plans of the St Benedict's Sisters for the establishment of a Hospital for Women. When the Mercy Private Hospital was opened in 1935, Sister Philippa was named its first matron, being responsible for setting the patient care standards and for introducing general nurse training. From 1954-59 she served as Provincial of the Sisters of Mercy in Victoria and Tasmania, after which she returned to the Mercy Private Hospital.
for outstanding service in the field of health care. On 1 August 1981, the University of Melbourne awarded her the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws in recognition of her services to women and family life. She was the first nun to receive the award from the University.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, LLD (25 December 1896, County Limerick, Ireland — 1 January 1988), generally known as Sister Philippa, was an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n nursing educator and administrator.
Born as Josephine Brazill, she completed her secondary education at Sacred Heart College, Geelong, before commencing her religious training in 1915. She took the religious name of Sister Mary Philippa after entering the Sisters of Mercy
Sisters of Mercy
The Religious Order of the Sisters of Mercy is an order of Catholic women founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831. , the order has about 10,000 members worldwide, organized into a number of independent congregations....
on 10 January 1918, aged 21. After graduating from the Teachers' Training College at Ascot Vale, she taught at several schools in Victoria, Australia. In 1928 she entered the nursing staff of St Benedict's Hospital, Malvern, which had been acquired by the Sisters of Mercy.
She completed her training at Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
. She toured several American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hospitals over a period of at least six months, gather ideas for incorporation into the plans of the St Benedict's Sisters for the establishment of a Hospital for Women. When the Mercy Private Hospital was opened in 1935, Sister Philippa was named its first matron, being responsible for setting the patient care standards and for introducing general nurse training. From 1954-59 she served as Provincial of the Sisters of Mercy in Victoria and Tasmania, after which she returned to the Mercy Private Hospital.
Honours/awards
In 1979 Sister Philippa was knighted as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for outstanding service in the field of health care. On 1 August 1981, the University of Melbourne awarded her the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws in recognition of her services to women and family life. She was the first nun to receive the award from the University.