[KS] Monash Beyond Borders Korean Studies Seminar Series (Seminar 1)

[Sandy Nguyen]

Dear KS list members, please note the following event. You can attend in
person or remotely. If attending remotely please register using the Google
form and a ZOOM link will be sent to you one day prior to the seminar. Hope
to see you there.

All the best,
Sandy

*Monash University Korean Studies Research Hub (MUKSRH) presents:*

*Monash Beyond Borders Korean Studies Seminar Series*

*Seminar 1*

‘The story of three Australian Samsin *halmeoni *and their *doban’*

Hea-Jin Park (Independent Scholar)





Monash University (Clayton Campus)

JSC (Japanese Studies Centre Main auditorium, Clayton Campus, next to bus
loop)

12 Ancora Imparo Wy, Clayton VIC 3168

23rd August 3:30pm







*Abstract*

A landmark medical institution in Busan recently celebrated 70 years of
delivering excellence in maternal and neonatal healthcare. Established by
the Australian medical missionaries Dr Helen and Sister Catherine
Mackenzie, the Ilsin Women's (now Christian) Hospital changed the course of
midwifery and obstetrical practices in Korea. Although the latest
statistics of Korea’s total fertility rate of 0.78 makes it hard to
believe, Ilsin has safely welcomed 299,040 babies (and counting, albeit
very slowly) to this planet since opening its doors in 1952.



In the making of Ilsin as one of the principal reference maternity centres
in Korea, there was a group of unassuming local people - among them, widows
of the Korean War, refugees from North Korea, single mothers and former
patients - who joined the Australian missionaries in their vision of
creating a medical haven open for all women. Indeed, the three Australian
Samsin *halmeoni *worked tirelessly to establish and spread the safe
practice of obstetrics and neonatology in Korea, while their Korean
*doban *provided
incalculable aid, assistance and encouragement to the Australian Samsin
*halmeoni *in their mission of building a fairer society.



This is the story of three remarkable Australian female medical
missionaries and their unwavering companions. Although never intended,
Ilsin grew into a mission that brought out the best of Australia and Korea.
In a superb example of public diplomacy, Ilsin shows that two countries,
through mutual understanding and cooperation, can achieve a lasting outcome
that overcomes all manner of imaginable barriers.





*Bio*

Dr Hea-Jin Park is a Canberra based independent researcher. Her research
interests include the Korean migration to Latin America, the history of
Australian Presbyterian missionaries to Korea and Australia-Korea bilateral
relationships, especially in public diplomacy. Her latest work, “Why aid
diplomacy eventually pays off” (with A/Prof Jo Elfving-Hwang, Curtin
University) explores the story of 2,500 Australian sheep and two Kelpies
named Mick and Monty who travelled to Korea in the 1970s to boost South
Korea’s rural development. This research on Australian medical missionaries
and the Korean staff has received generous support from the Australia-Korea
Foundation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.





Register here <https://forms.gle/SEjrQAhjsXab1w6t9> for a ZOOM link.

Please contact Monash University Korean Studies Research Hub Coordinator
Ms Sandy Nguyen for further details.

Sandy.Nguyen1 at monash.edu <Sandy.nguyen1 at monash.edu>
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