Stan Devenish Meares


Stanley Devenish Meares was an Australian obstetrician and gynaecologist.

Early life

Devenish Meares was born at Summer Hill, New South Wales, the son of C E Devenish Meares from his first marriage. His half brother was The Honourable Leycester Meares AC CMG QC, a judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Meares attended Newington College and went up to the University of Sydney in 1925, graduating as a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery with first-class honours in 1932.

Medical career

Meares served on the staff of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Royal North Shore Hospital before going to the United Kingdom to gain gynaecological experience at Saint Mary's Hospital, Manchester. On his return to Australia, he was appointed an Honorary at the Crown Street Women's Hospital, Sydney. In 1946, after active service, he was appointed as an Honorary at Sydney Hospital. From that time, he was a clinical lecturer at the University of Sydney and in 1954 was appointed Consultant Gynaecologist to The Cancer Council New South Wales. In 1967 the Vth World Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology was held in Sydney and Meares was president of the meeting. In the same year he was elected President of the Australian Council of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and held that position until 1970.

War service

During World War II, Meares attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, serving as Commanding Officer of the 7th Field Ambulance, and was mentioned in dispatches.

Honours