Ellen Balaam

Ellen Maud Balaam was born on 30 November 1891 in Melbourne, Victoria to Harry and Ellen Balaam.[1] Inspired at a young age to pursue a medical career,[2] she attended Melbourne Continuation School (later MacRobertson's Girls High School) from 1906 to 1908[3] where she won a scholarship at the end of primary school to continue her schooling at high school. She won a further scholarship to attend university,[4] and enrolled in medicine at the University of Melbourne. She taught mathematics at a public school in order to supplement this scholarship.[2] She graduated in 1915 with her M.D., with second class honours in all subjects.

Balaam was appointed to a resident medical officer position at the Melbourne Hospital[5] the following year. She married her classmate, Dr Thomas Wright in 1916,[6] and they both served as medical officers. They went into practice together,[7] before Balaam was appointed to a clinical assistant position at the Queen Victoria Hospital in 1917. She was steadily promoted over the next years to a full-time position and surgeon in 1924. She was the first woman to practise general surgery in Melbourne.[8] She continued to practise medicine and surgery until 1952, when she retired. Her husband died in 1964.[2]

Balaam died in 1985.[1]

Balaam was a supporter of the Melbourne Continuation School.[3] The Dr Ellen Balaam Award for Promise in Science award is given in her name by the Palladian Society (past pupils) of the School.[9]