Emeritus Professor Judith Lumley AM (1941 to 2018)
Published on Monday, 12 November 2018 Post
Director, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit 1994-1995
It was with great sadness that we heard the news of the death of Professor Judith Lumley on 25th October 2018 in Victoria, Australia. Judith was a world renowned researcher who leaves a substantial legacy in the field of maternal and child health. Among her many great and lasting achievements she established and ran the Victorian Perinatal Data Collection Unit. This exemplified her early vision of the need for and importance of routine surveillance data and the role such data can play in conducting high quality research to improve health outcomes.
In 1991 Judith established the Centre for the Study of Mothers’ and Children’s Health in Victoria, which was later renamed ‘The Judith Lumley Centre’ in recognition of her contribution to building a programme addressing issues of major public health importance for mothers, babies and families.
Judith was recruited as Director of the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit in 1994. She spilt her time between Oxford and Victoria during the two years she was Director of the Unit (1994 to 1995) following which she returned to the Centre in Victoria, where she remained Director until her retirement in 2008.
Her lifetime achievements were recognised in 2006 when she was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her contribution to public health and maternity care.
We understand that Judith died peacefully following a long illness. She will be greatly missed by everyone who worked with her and benefited from her gentle guidance and kind mentorship. Predeceased by her husband Peter, Judith is survived by her children, grandchildren and three sisters.
