In 1937 Margaret Mack was the Launceston General Hospital’s only physiotherapist when a polio
epidemic swept Northern Tasmania.

Within months Miss Mack had recruited nine physiotherapists from around Australia to identify and treat the 500 possible polio cases in the North.

Miss Mack’s life-changing contribution to children with disability was recognised when she was inducted onto to the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women.

Before enlisting for active service in WWII in 1939, Miss Mack managed the establishment of St Giles’ therapy services.

She was nominated for the Honour Roll by former colleague and friend Anne Taylor.

Miss Mack's niece - Judy Drysdale - accepted the honour from Human Services Minister Cassy O'Connor at the Launceston Country Club on March 11.

Also attending the function were retired physio Maxine Green, APA's Libby Cohen, Miss Mack's god-daughter Ann Chisholm and Miss Mack's right-hand lady Marsi Biffin.

Long-serving board member Arthur Dobson and St Giles CEO Ian Wright also attended.

In 1946 Miss Mack returned to Launceston and was appointed to the St Giles Board in 1957.

In 1984 Miss Mack received an OAM for her services to people with disability.

St Giles CEO Ian Wright said Miss Mack was one in a million.

“Miss Mack’s model of putting her patients at the centre of their care was ahead of its time,” Mr Wright said.

In 2011 patient or client-centred services are at the heart of best practice health models.

St Giles and Tasmania benefited greatly from this skilled, forthright and compassionate woman.

Pictured: Anne Taylor (left) and Miss Mack's niece, Judy Drysdale.