A published author, an internationally accomplished medical professional, university lecturer, keen historian, social tennis player, volunteer and animal enthusiast.
These are just a few attributes that sum up Dr Antonia Francis Bagshawe’s incredible life.
Born on November 11, 1938 in Africa, Dr Bagshawe always had a keen interest in helping others.
She spent her schooling years in Nairobi in Kenya, before moving to Oxford, England and then completing her medical studies at the University of London.
In medicine, some her postings included medical director and physician in chief at Nairobi Hospital, research medical officer and senior lecturer at the University of Sydney and a physician at Alice Springs Hospital, just to name a few.
Her final appointment was at Armadale Hospital where there is a building named in her honour, the Antonia Bagshawe Training Centre.
Dr Bagshawe spent many of her years travelling the world, practicing medicine and teaching the next generation of medical professionals the tricks of the trade.
According to her sisters Clemency Jarvis and Vicky Kerfoot, whenever Dr Bagshawe walked into the room, people would sit up and take notice.
They said she never spoke with too many frills, she would always get straight to the point and was very humble about her achievements.
Working at Armadale Hospital she was known to still wear a white doctors coat, she had extremely high standards and would never accept sloppiness in practice.
Living in Jarrahdale for about 20 years, Dr Bagshawe loved her peaceful surroundings and soon fell in love the idea of breeding alpacas.
She would exhibit her alpacas at the Perth Royal Show, Albany Agricultural Show and at Whiteman Park.
Dr Bagshawe also dedicated her time to many not-for-profit organisations in the local area including Darling Range Wildlife Shelter, Jarrahdale Bridge Group, Jarrahdale Forrest Protectors, Landcare SJ and Jarrahdale Heritage Society.
Dr Bagshawe died on May 26 at Armadale Hospital.
A lifetime of achievements
Dr Bagshawe had an incredible public life.
These are just some of her remarkable achievements:
1960s: University of London, Nairobi Hospital, Kenya, gained membership to London and Edinburgh College of Physicians.
1970s: Senior lecturer in medicine at University of Nairobi in Kenya, consultant physician at Nairobi Hospital.
1980s: Physician in Chief, Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi, senior lecturer University of Sydney, gained a WHO travelling fellowship to study in Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia.
1990s: Officer of the Order of the British Empire for work in Zambia, senior research fellow at Menzies School of Health Research, consultant physician at Alice Springs Hospital, associate clinical dean of the Northern Territory clinical school of health sciences, Flinders University.
2000s: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, volunteer field coordinator for Medecins Sans Frontieres program in Uganda focusing on preventing the spread of HIV, official opening of Antonia Bagshawe Training Centre at Armadale Hospital.
