What was life like for doctors in the early colony?
John White - Surgeon of the First Fleet
In the early colony, he cared for the health of convicts and soldiers in a harsh and unfamiliar environment. Through his work, John White helped people manage illness and injury in the new settlement.
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John White was the chief surgeon of the First Fleet and arrived in Australia in 1788.
Profile snapshot
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Name: John White
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Role: Surgeon of the First Fleet
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Country / Place: Sydney Cove, New South Wales colony
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Time period: Late 1700s
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Known for: Providing medical care in the early colony and keeping detailed journals and observations
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Why they matter: John White’s records help us understand health, daily life, and the natural world in the earliest years of European settlement in Australia
Free mini lesson
Download a free mini lesson with sample historical profiles and a classroom comparison activity.
Compare John White’s experiences with other people who travelled to Australia on the First Fleet.
Mini lesson includes:
✔ Colourful and engaging sample profiles for four children
✔ Guided discussion prompts
✔ A classroom comparison activity
✔ Student drawing and writing tasks
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