Tributes for McLaws: ‘A truly great Australian’
Mary-Louise McLaws died aged 70 on August 12, 18 months after being diagnosed with brain cancer.
There has been an outpouring of tributes this week for renowned epidemiologist, Emeritus Professor Mary-Louise McLaws, who died, aged 70, on August 12, 18 months after being diagnosed with brain cancer.
The Emanuel Synagogue member was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in June last year, and the University of NSW’s new clinical education centre is named in her honour.
After decades of leadership, the mother of two was appointed to two key World Health Organisation (WHO) committees on COVID-19, providing essential advice to government agencies, health departments, and the public.
In a statement on Monday, her husband, Richard Flook, said McLaws died peacefully in her sleep, and was “so well cared for by the nurses and doctors at Wolper Jewish Hospital”.
“We will be planning her funeral service at Emanuel Synagogue in the coming days.”
COMMENTS OF TRIBUTE
Chris Minns NSW Premier
“Our nation has lost a truly great Australian. From leading the charge to eliminate HIV, contain pandemics, and helping stop the spread of Swine Flu, there are very few health challenges our country faced in Professor McLaws’ lifetime, that she did not tackle head on. Thank you Professor McLaws, for all you did for our state, and country.”
Dr Kerry Chant NSW Chief Health Officer
“She [McLaws] was always a calm, reasoned, thoughtful voice, and drew on her extensive experience, both here and internationally.”
Prof George Rubin Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dept of Home Affairs
“Marie-Louise will be sorely missed. To my mind, she was the authoritative voice on the COVID-19 response for Australians, as well as being an outstanding researcher, spokesperson on infectious disease outbreaks and prevention, teacher, and all-round wonderful person. During the pandemic, I believe that Mary-Louise was the most trusted voice in Australia.”
Prof Sharon Lewin Director, Peter Doherty Institute
“Marie Louise McLaws became widely known during COVID-19 with her distinctive, calm voice. Aside from COVID, Marie Louise made countless contributions to the control of infectious diseases in Australia, including HIV and hepatitis C. The public health community is greatly saddened to lose such a thoughtful and productive leader in the field”.
A statement from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry
“The passing of Emeritus Professor Marie-Louise McLaws is a devastating loss for the Jewish community, the Australian people, and humanity. Her seminal work in developing surveillance systems to detect infectious diseases and to stop them from spreading made a real difference for the better to the lives of countless people on a global scale. She became a household name during the recent global pandemic, and generously made her expertise available to all, including Jewish organisations who sought her guidance. She provided us with a bedrock of calm and rational reassurance during a time of unprecedented fear and uncertainty. She will be sorely missed.”
David Ossip President, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBD)
“Emeritus Professor Mary-Louise McLaws was a much-loved and respected member of our community, who made a remarkable contribution to public health, and our understanding of infectious diseases. The recent pandemic brought her expertise to the fore. Throughout the COVID, she was indefatigable, working around the clock to formulate an appropriate response to the crisis, whilst providing clarity and reassurance. She helped to keep our community safe. Her incredible contribution, and her warmth, humility, and care, will be remembered. On behalf of the NSW Jewish community, we wish a long life to her loves ones. May her memory be a blessing.”
Richard Glass President of Wolper Jewish Hospital, Vice President of JBD
“Mary-Louise was a beacon of light during the dark years of the pandemic. Her accessibility, clarity of thought, insightful calm and wise counsel provided community decision makers – and Australians in general – with a balanced perspective to inform our decisions. She was, for many, a friend and confidant, beamed into our lounge rooms when we most needed her. Most importantly, Mary-Louise was a wonderful human being. It was a privilege for the Wolper team to care for Mary-Louise in her final weeks. She faced her illness with courage, tenacity, dignity and the support of her loving family and friends. She will be greatly missed.”
Rabbi Jacqueline Ninio Emanuel Synagogue
“Mary-Louise was an inspiration. She had a sense of joy, delight and wonder about the world. She cared about people and making the world a better place. She was devoted to her family, and forged a path for women in her field, as well as being a mentor and wise guide to so many. Our country had the chance to be brushed by her magic, as she was a strong, calm voice of wisdom during the pandemic. She was a blessing to all who knew her.”
Kelly Sloane State MP for Vaucluse
“We all owe Mary-Louise McLaws a debt of gratitude for her work in Australia during COVID, and through the World Health Organisation. [My] thoughts are with her family.”
David Gonski Chancellor, University of NSW
“We mourn the passing of a UNSW academic who was locally grown, and became a superstar, while remaining tenacious, humble, hardworking and caring. We are grateful for all she did for UNSW and Australia. She will not be forgotten”.
Walt Secord Former NSW Labor frontbencher
“Prof McLaws helped to steer NSW and Australia through the COVID pandemic with her sensible and reassuring manner. In my dealings as the NSW shadow health minister with her, Prof McLaws was a true professional, who only wanted to help and educate the community. Her family can take comfort in the memory that Prof McLaws was part of a team of health professionals that saved tens of thousands of Australian lives in the COVID pandemic.”
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