Philip Nitschke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Philip Nitschke
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Nitschke in 2016
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| Born | 8 August 1947 |
| Education | University of Adelaide (B.Sc.) Flinders University (PhD), University of Sydney (Sydney Medical School) (M.B.B.S.) |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Medical career | |
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Philip Haig Nitschke (/ˈnɪtʃkɪ/; born 8 August 1947) is an Australian humanist, author and former physician.
Early life and career
Nitschke was born in 1947 in Ardrossan, South Australia, the son of school teachers Harold and Gweneth (Gwen) Nitschke. Nitschke studied physics at the University of Adelaide, gaining a PhD from Flinders University in laser physics in 1972. Rejecting a career in the sciences, he instead travelled to the Northern Territory to take up work with the Aboriginal land rights activist Vincent Lingiari and the Gurindji at Wave Hill. After the hand-back of land by the Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam, Nitschke became a Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife ranger. However, after badly injuring his subtalar joint, which effectively finished his career as a ranger, he began studying for a medical degree. In addition to having long been interested in studying medicine he has suffered from hypochondria most of his adult life and futilely hoped with his medical studies to educate himself out of the problem. He graduated from the University of Sydney Medical School in 1989.
After graduating Nitschke worked as an intern at Royal Darwin Hospital, and then as an after hours general practitioner.
In the 1996 Australian federal election Nitschke ran in the seat of the Northern Territory for the Australian Greens but was unsuccessful.
In the 2007 Australian federal election Nitschke ran against the Australian politician Kevin Andrews in the Victorian seat of Menzies but was unsuccessful.
Conflict with police
Nitschke states that he and his group are regularly subject to harassment by authorities, including detention and questioning at international airports, and raids on homes and the premises of Exit International.
Comedian
Nitschke began his comedy career at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2015. ThreeWeeks called his show "engaging and highly thought-provoking". He performed a newer Australian version of his show, retitled Practising without a License, at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in April 2016 and again in Darwin in August 2016. The Herald Sun reviewed his performance favorably: "[Nitschke] "presented his case with such measure, warm humour and intelligence that even his puns were excusable".
Awards and recognition
- In 1996 Nitschke received the Rainier Foundation Humanitarian Award
- In 1998 Nitschke was recognised as the Australian Humanist of the Year by the Council of Australian Humanist Societies.
- He is a nine-time nominee for Australian of the Year (2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) and twice a state finalist (2005 & 2006)
See also
In Spanish: Philip Nitschke para niños
