People Australia

George Bedbrook was born in Melbourne in 1921, son of Arthur Bedbrook, a retired serviceman, and Ethel Nora nee Prince.  He received his early education at the Coburg State School and the University High School, Melbourne.  He graduated from Melbourne University obtaining honours in all subjects throughout the course.

From 1946 to 1950 he was a lecturer in anatomy at the University of Melbourne and then spent three years obtaining experience in orthopaedics in the United Kingdom.  On returning to Australia in 1953 he joined Mr McKellar Hall in private orthopaedic practice and became a member of Royal Perth Hospital's orthopaedic service.  It was he who developed a service for paraplegics and from 1954 to 1972 pioneered the Department of Paraplegia as well as providing service to the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Royal Perth Hospital.  From 1965 to 1975 he was the Head of the Department and it's chairman from 1979 to 1981.

In recent years he has been the Director of the Spinal Injuries Programme and Clinical Sub-dean of the University of Western Australia (1988).

George Bedbrook's contribution to the care of the paraplegic has received world wide recognition and many distinctions and honours have followed.  He has been very active also in the rehabilitation of the injuries and the problems of road trauma.  Anyone who knows him is aware of the presence of a human dynamo, a man who has high goals and an ability to achieve them.

His name appears in Who's Who (London), 5000 Personalities of the World (USA), Contemporary Personalities (Italy), The International Who's Who of Contemporary Achievements (Cambridge, London) and Debrett's Handbook (London).  He has written 117 scientific papers and publications and two books — The Care and Management of Spinal Cord Injuries and Lifetime Care of the Paraplegic Patient.

Honours include: Betts' Medalist, Australian Orthopaedic Association 1972; Medal of Honour, International Medical Society of Paraplegia 1978.

In 1946 Sir George married Jessie Violet nee Page.  They have two sons and three daughters.

Hobbies include music and the promotion of paraplegic sport.

A list of Professional and Association Memberships shows clearly the extent of George Bedbrooks activities.

Sir George retired in 1981.