The son of Robert Wawn (1844-1927),[2] and Susannah Wawn, née Lowden,[3] Royle Newton Wawn was born in his family’s East Brighton home on 20 May 1880.
He married Lucy Annabella Syme (1883-1966), at Kew, Victoria on 15 July 1908.[4][5]
Education
Roy Wawn commenced school at East Brighton State School, but after two years later he transferred to Moorabbin State School.
At the age of 10 years Wawn won a scholarship to Wesley College, Melbourne, where he represented the school in cricket,[6] football,[7] and rowing.
Football
Wawn was mistakenly identified in official VFL records as his younger brother "Vic Wawn".[8]
During his final year at Wesley College, Wawn played two games for St. Kilda in the Victorian Football League.
Medical career
In 1901 Wawn entered the University of Melbourne, securing first class honours in natural philosophy[9] and a winning a scholarship that enabled him to study medicine. Wawn was prominent in intervarsity football and cricket, and he was a member of the University football team that competed in the Metropolitan Football Association.[10][11]
After his graduation in 1906, Wawn served as a resident medical officer for six months at the Melbourne Hospital, then for nine months at the Women’s Hospital. After commencing in general practice at Cowra, New South Wales, Wawn became interested in obstetrics and commenced work in Prahran with a focus on midwifery and obstetrics. Wawn was appointed to the obstetric staff of the Women’s Hospital in 1917. He transferred to the gynaecological department in 1923, where he worked until his retirement in 1944.[12][13]
Holmesby, Russell & Main, Jim (2014), The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (10th ed.), Melbourne, Victoria: Bas Publishing. ISBN978-1-921496-32-5