John Farquhar Macdonald, was educated at Geelong College, Dux of the College before going on to Melbourne University where he graduated M.B., B.S. in 1954, joining the AMA in the following year. After residential appointments at the Fairfield, and Repatriation General Hospitals, he joined the overseas service of the Department of Immigration on secondment from the Commonwealth Department of Health as a Medical Officer. After working for two years in Athens and two years in Madrid, he was posted for a further year in England where he studied at the London School of Economics.
On his return from overseas Dr. Macdonald entered general practice in Fitzroy. In addition, he showed personal concern for community welfare by work with the Brotherhood of St Lawrence and as Medical Officer of Health to the City of Fitzroy.
He became President of the Inner Suburban Subdivision Branch in 1969 and was instrumental in the development of the Section of General Practice. Three years later he became the inaugural President of the National Association of General Practitioners of Australia (NAGPA) and represented this Association at the AMA Federal Assembly. He was elected to the Branch Council in 1975, and since 1976 has represented the State at Federal Assembly, while serving as Federal Council representative since 1977. Since joining Federal Council, he has been a member of its Standing Committee on Health Education and Promotion.
Dr. Macdonald has been involved, during his years in general practice, with undergraduate training and postgraduate training, through the Family Medicine Programme. He has represented the Branch on the Board of the Faculty of Medicine at Melbourne University since 1978.
He has been prominent in several Branch Council committees, chiefly in the area of legislation and Branch organisation, and was active in the creation of two new Subdivisions, the Mallee and Sessional Medical Officers groups.
In 1979 he was Honorary Secretary of the Branch; in 1980, President-elect; and in 1981, President. He became a Fellow in 1982.
Dr. Macdonald died in 2002. He was married, with student children.
Last updated 31 March 2025.
Sources: Branch News Feb 1983; Obituary, The Age 13/6/2002.