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Dagmar Berne, first woman medical student, in a...

Dagmar Berne, first woman medical student, in academic dress 1890

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University of Sydney Archives

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Berne, Dagmar

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Education Medicine Women Women's health

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Berne, Dagmar

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University of Sydney Archives

Established in 1954, the University Archives is responsible for the care and preservation of those records of the University which have been appraised as having permanent value. The Archives include the records of the Senate, the Academic Board and of the many administrative offices which control the functions of the University of Sydney. It also holds the archival records of the institutions which amalgamated with the University, such as Sydney CAE (and some of its predecessors such as Sydney Teachers College), Sydney College of the Arts, Cumberland College of Health Sciences and the Conservatorium of Music. The Archives also houses a collection of photographs of University interest and many University publications. In addition, the Archives holds significant collections of the personal archives of individuals and bodies closely associated with the University.

The Archives does not hold the records for the following: Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness; Sydney University Union; St Andrews; St Paul's; St Johns; Wesley College; Sancta Sophia; or the Women's College.

Berne, Dagmar

Dagmar Berne was the first female student of medicine at Sydney University and a pioneering doctor. Confronted by prejudice, she was obliged to travel overseas to qualify. She gained world-class degrees and was feted on her return to Sydney, yet was denied access to employment in general hospitals. She established a private practice, lectured, and worked with women's organisations to progress women's health in Sydney, before tuberculosis forced her to move to Springwood, and then Trundle, where she died suddenly in 1900

Women

Medicine

Education

Women's health

Berne, Dagmar

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First female student to study medicine in Australia, who, during her short life, pioneered women's health services in Sydney.