(Photo: Celebrity Speakers)
November 29, 2022
Australia’s “merry medic” Dr James Wright – real name Dr John Franklin Knight AM – has died aged 94.
His “merry medic” health spots have been broadcast on radio stations for decades, including the South Burnett where his voice would be familiar to thousands of listeners.
Dr Knight’s 50-year multi-media career spanned newspaper columns, regular television appearances on the Mike Walsh Show and The Midday Show, as well as radio shows.
He was also a popular celebrity guest speaker, and wrote almost 30 books, including an autobiography “Dr James Wright: Adventures of a Merry Medic”, published in 2016.
His medical career included a spell as a country GP in NSW before setting up a family practice in Sydney where he worked well into his 80s.
Dr Knight and his wife Noreen set up a charitable foundation to receive funds from his media work.
According to his friend Bruce Ferrier, Dr Knight donated more than $50 million from this charity to subsidise housing for older people.
He was awarded an Order of Australia in 1998 for his work in media and philanthropy.
His AM citation reads: “For service to the community through philanthropic contributions, in particular the establishment of the Medi-Aid Centre Foundation, and as an advocate through the media of public health and medical issues.”
Dr Knight, who died on November 27, is survived by his four children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
RIP Dr James Wright…
RIP my dear fellow Christian friend (my GP in earlier days) Dr James Knight. You were a great man, a kind, generous and loving support for older folk in need with your wonderful charity Medi-aid. You lived your faith putting your money where your mouth was (so to speak) and blessed so many people. Your charities and great name lives on! See you in the Resurrection.