James Wright (doctor)

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James Wright
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Died27 November 2022(2022-11-27) (aged 94)
EducationUniversity of Sydney
Occupations
  • Medical doctor
  • media personality
  • author

John Franklin Knight

AM (12 December 1927 – 27 November 2022), known professionally as Dr James Wright, was an Australian medical professional who was notable for his books, television and radio appearances, and regular newspaper and magazine columns. He was also sometimes nicknamed "the Merry Medic".[1]

Wright was known for his ability to demystify complex medical issues for a nationwide audience. He took TV camera crews into hospital medical theatres and neonatal intensive care clinic. He taught the nation about emerging diseases such as HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C, whilst destigmatising prejudices and hysteria surrounding these diseases.[2]

Early life

Wright was born on 12 December 1927 in

Seventh-day Adventist minister. He had a "very strict, disciplinarian upbringing. (He) used to get a hiding pretty regularly".[1] As with most Seventh-Day Adventism members, his family were strict vegetarians. His mother lived to 100 and his father to 90.[1] He was educated at North Sydney Boys High School.[3] After graduating, he originally wanted to pursue a career in journalism, before deciding to become a doctor and studying medicine at the University of Sydney.[2]

Personal life

Wright was a committed

Seventh-day Adventist. He was a vegetarian, did not smoke or drink alcohol and exercised daily. In 1955 he married Noreen Westlake.[1][4]

Wright made a fortune in the millions of dollars through property investments, mainly on the Queensland Gold Coast.[1] In the early 2000s Wright was swindled out of A$57 million by a friend, New Zealander Derek Turner.[5][6] "Turner had been his neighbour for 10 to 15 years and was a trusted acquaintance", Wright said.[7] He also owned a motel and a funeral director's company for forty years, also a printing company.[1]

Wright had surgery for throat cancer and in February 2017 surgery for

bowel cancer.[8]

Medical career

Wright studied medicine at the University of Sydney and first practised as a

obstetrician, surgeon, counsellor, dispensing pharmacist and vet.[2]

Media career

Television and radio media

Wright, whilst running his private practice, started his media career, as the local correspondent for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, where his stories were sent to the ABC by Morse code.[1]

On television he appeared on

The Midday Show, where he became resident doctor during the tenure of both Ray Martin and Kerri-Anne Kennerley, spanning a period of 25 years, starting from the black and white era through to the transmission of colour.[4]

Wright appeared on radio at 2GB and 2UE where he had his own radio show for almost 18 years.[4]

Printed media

Wright had newspaper columns including in the

Sunday Tasmanian.[2]

Wright also had regular column in magazines including

Women's Day, Dolly and Cleo.[2]

Medi Aid Centre Foundation

In 1971, Wright and his wife Noreen established the charity Medi-Aid. It grew from an idea in Wright's teenage years to a national foundation that provides aged care accommodation for more than 700 elderly people.

socio-economic
levels.

Death

Wright died on 27 November 2022, at the age of 94.[2]

Awards

In 1998, Wright was appointed a Member of the

Senior Australian of the Year.[12]

Bibliography

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Thompson, Peter (12 September 2005). "Dr James Wright". Talking Heads. ABC (Australia). Archived from the original (transcript) on 8 January 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f David Knox (29 November 2002). "Vale:John F. Knight aka "Dr. James. Wright"". TV Tonight.
  3. ^ NSBHS Leaving Certificate 1945
  4. ^ a b c d "About Dr James Wright". docwright.com.au. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  5. ^ "Celebrity doctor ripped off by scamster". The Age. Australian Associated Press. 18 February 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  6. ^ "Celebrity doctor battle". A Current Affair. Nine MSN. 26 August 2011. Archived from the original on 30 March 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  7. ^ "Merry medic down $50m but looking up". The Sydney Morning Herald. 21 February 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  8. ^ Deare, Steven (10 February 2017). "Dr James Wright, or Dr John Knight, recovering from surgery". Northern District Times. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  9. ^ "Centre of Australia, States and Territories-NSW". Geoscience Australia. 23 November 2010. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
  10. WayBack Machine
    )     on 11 September 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  11. ^ "Name: Dr John Franklin KNIGHT | Award: Member of the Order of Australia". AUSTRALIAN HONOURS SEARCH FACILITY. Archived from the original (Archived by the Wayback Machine) on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  12. ^ "Dr John Knight AM, NSW STATE RECIPIENT SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR 2017". Australian of the Year. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.

External links

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