12. Heroic Fernau – The Smallpox Epidemic

Revd Felix Albert Fernau, curate at St. John’s 1902-6, was a remarkable, if nomadic character, who made a name for himself caring for victims of epidemics and leprosy, but also worked as a missionary in New Guinea and in the outback. He was part of a group of doctors, nurses and clergy who risked their own health to care for victims of the smallpox epidemic in 1903.
Smallpox was a very virulent, and often fatal, disease which broke out from time to time despite vaccination being used since the early 19^th century – an anti-vax conspiracy circulated in the 1880s! In 1903, an outbreak in Launceston led to public health measures including isolation of victims or those exposed to them at Carr Villa. 38 were infected, with 11 fatalities. Fernau, along with Catholic priest Fr. O’Mahoney, Dr. Barnard and doctors and nurses, risked their lives to care for the victims. Fernau had taken a similar role when an epidemic broke out on the immigrant ship which brought him to Australia. The dedication of the team was recognised in a “public demonstration of citizens” at the Albert Hall once the epidemic was over. Fernau went on to serve as superintendent of a leprosy quarantine hospital on Peel Island in Moreton Bay (off Brisbane) before returning to church ministry, but sadly lost his life trying to rescue his dog from a house fire while serving with the Bush Brotherhood at Charleville.

https://resources.allsaints.network/histcoll/index.php/Detail/entities/P190