Patricia Mackinnon

Dame Patricia Mackinnon, DBE, CBE (b. 24 July 1911, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) was Vice-President and President of the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne and a national councillor for the Australian Hospitals Association.

Christened Una Patricia Bell, she was the daughter of Ernest Thomas and Pauline Eva (née Taylor) Bell. She was educated at St. Margaret's Church of England School, Brisbane. She married Alistair Mackinnon on 17 December 1936; they had two children.

In 1948 Patricia Mackinnon became a member of the committee of management for the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH), Melbourne. She served in several offices before being elected vice-president from 1957-1965 and president 1965-1979, succeeding Dame Elisabeth Murdoch.

In 1968 she began chairman of the RCH Research Foundation a position she held until 1986, and from 1951-1965, served as president of the Auxiliaries. She was also a federal and state councillor of the Australian Hospitals Association for many years.

Her links to the RCH go back to her grandmother-in-law, Lady Emily Mackinnon, who served on the committee of management (1888-1922). Her mother-in-law, Mrs. Hilda Mackinnon, was elected president of the committee of management from 1923-1933. The Mackinnon School of Nursing is named in their honour.

Honours

Patricia Mackinnon was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1972 and a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1977 in recognition of distinguished service to the community in hospital administration.

References

* [http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/IMP0039b.htm Biography]