Nedlands

Distinguished and Famous people from Nedlands

🏛️ Charles Court

Charles Court represented the electorate of Nedlands for twenty-nine years, from 1953 to 1982. He served as Premier of Western Australia from 1974 to 1982, following years in portfolios including industrial development and the North-West. His career became closely associated with major resource and infrastructure projects, as well as contentious debates about development and Aboriginal land rights. His son Richard succeeded him in the seat, extending a family association with the electorate across nearly half a century.

🩺 Fiona Wood

Fiona Wood began her Western Australian plastic-surgery training at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital after migrating from Britain in 1987. That Nedlands hospital appointment preceded her later work in burns treatment, including the development of spray-on cell technology with scientist Marie Stoner. Her expertise became internationally familiar after the treatment of people injured in the 2002 Bali bombings. Remembering Stoner’s contribution alongside Wood’s also recognises that an important medical development emerged through collaboration.

🤝 Kath French

Kath French lived at Nedlands with her family after they returned from Roebourne during her childhood. She went on to become a versatile community advocate, supporting medical charities, women’s representation and services for children. Work with the Equal Opportunity Tribunal and the ABC’s advisory system gave that voluntary experience a wider public role. Her ability to organise was accompanied by a reputation for common sense, courtesy and humour. Nedlands is a documented family home in the story, while the organisations she later served reached well beyond the suburb.