John Greenwell was born on 10 October 1922 in Leura, New South Wales, to Harold and Sarah Greenwell. He was the youngest of four and his father owned a pharmacy in Katoomba. Educated at Katoomba Public School and Sydney Grammar School, he graduated in medicine from the University of Sydney in 1946.
After a residency at St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, and a brief experience in general practice in Granville, John accepted the position of Registered Medical Officer at the Royal Hospital for Women (RHW) in Paddington and, in 1950, was appointed Medical Administrator. In 1952, he travelled to London, where he undertook postgraduate studies in obstetrics and gynaecology and obtained membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). On his return in 1954, he was appointed General Medical Superintendent of the RHW. In 1956, he married Pauline McLure.
John served the East Sydney Rotary Club for 43 years until he retired from the club in 2007. After increasing ill health, John died on 6 January 2012. He was predeceased by Pauline and is survived by his children Lisa and Robert, and grandchildren Jocelyn, Charlie and Jonathan.
