Dr. Lilian Cooper and Josephine Bedford

---

Lilian Violet Cooper (11 August 1861 - 18 August 1947) was a British-born medical practitioner in Queensland, Australia. She was the first woman medical doctor registered in Queensland. 

On completing her education at the London School of Medicine for Women, in 1892, Cooper sailed for Brisbane with her lifelong love, Mary Josephine Bedford. In June 1891, Cooper applied for registration with the Medical Board of Queensland, becoming the first woman doctor registered in Queensland and the second in Australia. Cooper began her professional career in Brisbane with Dr Booth at his general practice in South Brisbane. However, after 6 months of working with Booth who was, reportedly, inebriated for much of the time, Cooper terminated her agreement with him and set up her own practice. Her actions raised the ire of Brisbane's then (all male) medical establishment who shunned her professionally until 1893 when she was finally admitted as a member of the Queensland Medical Society. She commenced her own practice at The Mansions in George Street in 1893, making house calls in her horse and sulky initially, a bicycle and then in her much-loved motorcar.

Mary Josephine Bedford (1861 – 22 December 1955) was a British born philanthropist in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, who was involved in family welfare and children's development through her involvement with the Playground Association and the Crèche and Kindergarten Association. She was awarded the Order of St Sava for her services as an ambulance driver in World War I.

When Josephine wasn’t assisting Lilian on house calls in their horse and sulky, she turned her skills to charitable work, concerning herself mainly with children and their mothers. 

Image to the right is Josephine Bedford and Lilian Cooper with their horse and sulky c1900. Courtesy John Oxley Library, State Library Queensland. https://www.museumofbrisbane.com.au/mob-sunday-stories-lilian-cooper-and-josephine-bedford/