James Wright

James Wright was an Australian medical professional who was notable for his books, television and radio appearances, and regular newspaper and magazine columns. He was also sometimes nicknamed "the Merry Medic". He was known for his ability to demystify complex medical issues for a nationwide audience. He took TV camera crews into hospital medical theatres and neonatal intensive care clinic. He taught the nation about emerging diseases such as HIV AIDS and Hepatitis C, whilst destigmatising prejudices and hysteria surrounding these diseases. He was also the uncle-by-marriage of notorious Melbourne crime figure Mark Chopper Read. He was a committed Seventh-day Adventist, a vegetarian, did not smoke or drink alcohol and exercised daily. He made a fortune in the millions of dollars through property investments, mainly on the Queensland Gold Coast. In the early 2000s he was swindled out of A$57 million by a friend, New Zealander Derek Turner. He had surgery for throat cancer and in February 2017 surgery for bowel cancer. He died on 27 November 2022 at the age of 94. He was recognised as an Australian of the Year in 1976 for his contributions to medicine and media.