Jephcott, Barbara (Lady)

Lady Jephcott, (nee Barbara Harpham) was the second female vet to complete her BVSc at the Queensland Veterinary School, graduating in 1955. She was a field officer with the Animal Industry Branch of the Northern Territory Administration from 1956 to 1959. The work included continued investigations into Birdsville Disease in horses, Georgina Gidgee poisoning in cattle, and as part of Colonel Lionel Rose (Director of AIB) team to eradicate pleuro-pneumonia from the Northern Territory.

Barbard and her husband, Bruce Jephcott, were granted 8000ha of land in PNG to produce cattle. She worked with Animal Industry Division of the PNG Department of Agriculture, Stock and Fisheries while initial work on the property, Dumpu, was completed, and on a casual basis later. She also did private practice in Madang.

Barbara purchased and veterinary tested over one thousand heifers and some bulls to be shipped to Lae for Dumpu. She also accompanied the cattle on some of the shipments.

Her daughter, Dr Sandi Jephcott, and three nephews are also Queensland Veterinary graduates.

Barbara has been a member of the AVA since 1956, and is now a Life Member.