Portrait of Margaret Cruickshank in her graduation gown at the University of Otago Medical School, 1897

She also obtained her Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Univ of Otago in 1903 - the first woman to do so

Margaret joined Dr Herbert Clifford Barclay's medical practice in Waimate, South Canterbury in 1897

He'd established the first private hospital in Waimate and together they provided medical, surgical & maternity services

When Barclay served overseas during WWI, Margaret managed the medical practice, including visiting rural areas

She also shared Barclay's superintendent role at the hospital with two other doctors

Born 1 Jan 1873, Margaret was the twin daughter of Margaret (b. 1839, née Taggart) & George Cruickshank (b. 1837)

Margaret's twin sister was called Christina. They were the oldest of 7 children (six girls and one boy)

Her father (a farmer) had emigrated from Aberdeen to join the gold rush; first to Australia & then to Dunstan in 1868

Her mother travelled from Aberdeen to join him in NZ & they married on 27 Feb 1872

The family lived on a 90-acre farm named Riverheads in Hawkesbury (later in the Waikouiti region)

Photo: Three of the 7 children: Isabella (Isabel) (Left), Christina (Standing) & Margaret (Kneeling) with their mother

In 1881, Margaret's father George was appointed road engineer to the Waiheino County until April 1910

He died in January 1912 aged 74 years, still living at Shag Valley (See Evening Post, 10 Jan 1912, p.7)

When their mother became unwell & died on 19 June 1883 aged 44 years, the twins helped care for their 5 younger siblings

During the day they alternated who attended school, with the other being taught the lesson at home during the evening

The twins, Margaret & Christina, went to boarding school at Palmerston District High School

In 1886, the twins received an Education Board Junior Scholarship which paid for fees

At the end of year annual prize-giving (1886), both received school prizes

Upper School: Extra subjects: Latin (Margaret), Geometry (Christina) & General excellence in extra subjects (Margaret)

In 1888, both received an Education Board Senior Scholarship to Otago Girls’ High School

The Scholarship paid their school fees and their father paid for their board

Christina then went to Univ of Otago in 1892 & gained an MA & MSc (Photo: Seated in high-back chair, 1899)

She taught at schools including Timaru Girls' High (c. 1900-1905) & became Wanganui Girls' College Principal for 21 yrs

When Margaret's friend Emily Siedeberg graduated in 1896, she was NZ's first woman medical graduate

After being a locum for a month, Emily did postgrad study overseas & returned to Dunedin in early 1898

Margaret successfully applied for an assistant position with Dr Herbert Barclay (b. 1866) in Waimate

She had been recommended by her former teacher at Otago Girls' High School who was an acquaintance of Barclay

Barclay had registered on 1 May 1889 & worked at Dunedin Hospital; then set up a private hospital in Waimate in 1890

As well as running a private practice, Barclay was Waimate Hospital's Surgeon-Superintendent, & became Mayor (1898-1901)

Article (17 March 1897): "Dr. Margaret B. Cruickshank" had commenced practice in Waimate

Margaret boarded with Barclay & his wife Ruth, & together they provided medical, surgical & maternity services

The St John Ambulance Association's AGM (March 1898) reported that both Drs Barclay & Cruickshank had been lecturers

After a railway accident in Waimate, the town established a St John’s Ambulance and Medical Course in First Aid

Barclay was also appointed Surgeon-Captain of Waimate Volunteers on 24 May 1898 & became the Captain on 10 April 1901

He transferred to 2nd South Canterbury Regiment on 28 Feb 1911 & became Major (17 March 1911) & Lt. Col (21 March 1914)

In 1900, Margaret also began assisting the Hospital Board with examining the nurses for their certificate

In Aug 1903, Barclay purchased a Stirling motor car, which Margaret used to visit patients, chauffeured by Mr Paterson

In 1907, Waimate Hospital was described as having a dispensary, operating theatre, & a fever ward in a separate building

in Jan 1912, the death of Margaret's father George at Shag Valley, aged 74 years, was announced in newspaper

Newspaper reported (17 Feb 1913) on Margaret's departure for year-long postgraduate study in Edinburgh & Dublin

Accompanied by her sister Isabel, Margaret sailed to London, visited Rome en route, & also travelled to Americas

Margaret received a purse of 100 sovereigns & a gold watch & chain from the community who had gathered to farewell her

Inscription inside watch case reads:- Presented to Margaret B Cruickshank from her many Waimate Friends Feby. 13th 1913

Whilst overseas, Margaret wrote to friends & family in NZ

When in London, she also visited the St John’s Association headquarters to learn about the courses they were running

Margaret looked after the clinic & conducted her local rounds by bicycle and horse & gig

(Photo: Renactment of Margaret with her bicycle during the Waimate Centennial celebrations)

When visiting the backblocks, Margaret would be driven in the clinic's car

She was also rostered as hospital superintendent with two doctors, & continued to lecture & examine nurses

Margaret also volunteered with the Red Cross & supported the war relief, including knitting

In Sept 1914, Waimate held a Harvest Festival, followed by a local Patriotic Fundraising Campaign for the war effort

In 1915, Nth Island fundraiser was a Queen of the Carnival & Margaret was nominated by Waimate as their town's candidate

Margaret came in at second place to the Fairlie representative. However, £10,000 had been raised for the war effort.

In 1916, Margaret advocated for better lighting in the hospital & raised lack of sufficient accommodation for the nurses

The small cottage previously used by the Waimate Hospital was being used as the Nurses' Home

In Jan 1918, Barclay's resignation as Hospital Superintendent was accepted & he stayed on in England after the War

He practised medicine in London & was removed from the NZ register in 1921.

In Oct 1918, Spanish influenza pandemic reached NZ. At a public meeting Margaret advocated the need for precautions.

Council closed bars to stop flu spreading; serious cases to be admitted to hospital & minor cases self-isolate at home

When Margaret’s driver fell ill during the flu pandemic, she would walk and cycle to her patients

She would help families with domestic tasks including feeding babies and milking the family cow to provide fresh milk

When she caught the flu, newspaper reported (25 Nov 1918): "Dr Margaret Cruickshank is in an extremely low condition."

"...She was prayed for in the Presbyterian and Catholic Churches yesterday, which were the only services held."

Newspaper reports honoured Margaret's memory for her personal qualities & professional skill

As Margaret didn't want people congregating due to the epidemic, funeral wasn't advertised but people lined the streets

The pall-bearers were Surgeon-Captain Hayes, & Messrs Studholm, Franklin, Bremner, Barnett & Fitch

Doctor Margaret Cruickshank's headstone in Waimate cemetery. (Rev. Clarke officiated at the grave during the service.)

The medical practice was purchased by Dr Stuart Scoular & Dr Barclay stayed in England until his death on 1 Dec 1932

On 25 July 1923, the town erected a marble statue of Margaret holding a Bible & dressed in an academic gown

In 1922, residents paid Christchurch sculptor, William Trethewey, £800 to design & craft the statue from photos

The 3 metre statue was unveiled by Mrs Ruth Barclay at Waimate's central park - Seddon Park

The statue's body was carved in Carrara, Italy with head in rough form for completion. Base was made by Daniel Berry.

Speakers: Dr Emily Siedeberg, representing NZ Medical Women's Assoc, Waitaki MP John Bitchener, & Council Chair Mr Hart

Miss M. Allen was also present as a representative of the Otago University Women's Association

In 1948, Waimate Hospital named its maternity ward “Margaret Cruickshank Ward – Maternity”

(Photo: A group of medical staff standing in a doorway of Dr Margaret Cruickshank maternity ward, 1948)

One of ten brass plaques that were displayed on the walls of the Waimate Hospital until it closed in 1996

Plaque reads: "Dr Margaret Cruickshank". (Listed as Category C in the Heritage Protection items of District Plan)

Another plaque reads:"Margaret B. Cruickshank M.B. The first lady physician in New Zealand...

"...The beloved physician faithful unto death. Died 28th November 1918."