DR JOHN SAMUEL YEATMAN November 25, 1928-May 11, 2024 John Yeatman MB BS, FRACP, FRACMA was the third of four children who raced into the world 10 years after World War I. His grandfather, Samuel Mauger, was Australia’s seventh postmaster-general, a position he took up after serving in the Victorian Legislative Assembly (1901) and Australia’s House of Representatives (1901-1910) as the member for Melbourne Ports and then Maribyrnong. His parents – Leslie and Florence – were hard-working.
Florence organised the family while Leslie was a Victorian public servant, rising to the rank of secretary and permanent head of the Victorian Health Department in 1955 as well as a magistrate. Florence was also an accomplished pianist and apparently played piano for Dame Nellie Melba when she practised. As with many children who were schooled during World War II, John moved between schools and campuses to make room for American soldiers.
He finished school at Melbourne High in 1945, commencing medicine at Melbourne University in 1946. He graduated in 1954 and continued his career in medicine for 55 years. He completed his physician training (FRACP) and then embarked upon a career in medical administration.
He was one of the “grandfathers” of the fledgling Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators (FRACMA) and served on the Board of Censors for 10 years and the council and executive for eight years. Some of his positions included medical superintendent at Preston and Nort.