John Billings
Encyclopedia
John Billings, was an Australian physician
who pioneered the natural method of family planning
known variously as the Billings Ovulation Method
, the Ovulation Method, or the Billings Method.
Billings was born in Melbourne
and was educated at Xavier College
, and at the University of Melbourne
where he received his Doctor of Medicine
degree. He married Evelyn Livingston (b. 8 February 1918) in 1943, and they had nine children. He served as a medical doctor with the Australian Imperial Force
in New Guinea during World War II
.
In 1947, Billings was awarded a Nuffield Fellowship for postgraduate studies in London
, where he specialised in neurology
. On his return to Australia, he was made Head of the Department of Neurology at St Vincent's Hospital
in Melbourne
, and Dean of the Undergraduate Medical School within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Melbourne
.
In 1953, he and his wife, Evelyn Billings, began work on a method of natural family planning
which involved observation of changes to cervical mucus. Together they founded the World Organisation of the Ovulation Method Billings
(WOOMB) as the centre for teaching the method throughout the world. Although Billings maintained his career as consulting neurologist to St Vincent's Hospital, he and his wife also spent a large part of each year travelling to other countries, and training teachers in the Ovulation Method, lecturing to doctors and students, and establishing teaching centres.
The method pioneered by Billings and his wife was approved by the Catholic Church
and used by the World Health Organization
. It was the only natural method accepted by the Chinese Government.
In 1969, Billings was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Gregory the Great (KCSG) by Pope Paul VI
. In 2003, Pope John Paul II
added a star to this papal knighthood (KC*SG).. That same year, his wife Evelyn was made a Dame of Malta. Billings was also made a member of the Order of Australia
in 1991.
John Billings died, aged 89, on 1 April 2007, at a Richmond
aged care centre, survived by his wife, children and large extended family.
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
who pioneered the natural method of family planning
Family planning
Family planning is the planning of when to have children, and the use of birth control and other techniques to implement such plans. Other techniques commonly used include sexuality education, prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections, pre-conception counseling and...
known variously as the Billings Ovulation Method
Billings ovulation method
The Billings Ovulation Method is a method which women use to monitor their fertility, by identifying when they are fertile and when they are infertile during each menstrual cycle. Users pay attention to the sensation at their vulva, and the appearance of any vaginal discharge...
, the Ovulation Method, or the Billings Method.
Billings was born in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
and was educated at Xavier College
Xavier College
Xavier College is a Roman Catholic, day and boarding school predominantly for boys, with its main campus located in Kew, an eastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
, and at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
where he received his Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
degree. He married Evelyn Livingston (b. 8 February 1918) in 1943, and they had nine children. He served as a medical doctor with the Australian Imperial Force
Australian Imperial Force
The Australian Imperial Force was the name given to all-volunteer Australian Army forces dispatched to fight overseas during World War I and World War II.* First Australian Imperial Force * Second Australian Imperial Force...
in New Guinea during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
In 1947, Billings was awarded a Nuffield Fellowship for postgraduate studies in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where he specialised in neurology
Neurology
Neurology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Specifically, it deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of disease involving the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, including their coverings, blood vessels, and all effector tissue,...
. On his return to Australia, he was made Head of the Department of Neurology at St Vincent's Hospital
St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne
St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne is the major hospital in Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia.It is operated by the St Vincent's Health service, previously known as the Sisters of Charity Health Service, Melbourne...
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, and Dean of the Undergraduate Medical School within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
.
In 1953, he and his wife, Evelyn Billings, began work on a method of natural family planning
Natural family planning
Natural family planning is a term referring to the family planning methods approved by the Roman Catholic Church. In accordance with the Church's requirements for sexual behavior in keeping with its philosophy of the dignity of the human person, NFP excludes the use of other methods of birth...
which involved observation of changes to cervical mucus. Together they founded the World Organisation of the Ovulation Method Billings
World Organisation of the Ovulation Method Billings
The World Organisation of the Ovulation Method Billings, generally known as WOOMB, is an international centre for education in the method of natural family planning known as the Billings Ovulation Method. It was founded by Dr. John Billings and his wife, Dr. Evelyn Billings. It is based in...
(WOOMB) as the centre for teaching the method throughout the world. Although Billings maintained his career as consulting neurologist to St Vincent's Hospital, he and his wife also spent a large part of each year travelling to other countries, and training teachers in the Ovulation Method, lecturing to doctors and students, and establishing teaching centres.
The method pioneered by Billings and his wife was approved by the Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
and used by the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
. It was the only natural method accepted by the Chinese Government.
In 1969, Billings was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Gregory the Great (KCSG) by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
. In 2003, Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
added a star to this papal knighthood (KC*SG).. That same year, his wife Evelyn was made a Dame of Malta. Billings was also made a member of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
in 1991.
John Billings died, aged 89, on 1 April 2007, at a Richmond
Richmond, Victoria
Richmond is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Yarra...
aged care centre, survived by his wife, children and large extended family.