When Rose McGready first travelled to the border region between Thailand and Myanmar as a young doctor, she thought she would be there for six months.

"They were desperate at the time for somebody who knew how to do obstetrics … so I got the job," she said.

More than 30 years later, she still lives in a refugee camp, having dedicated her life to saving the lives of vulnerable women and children.

Training up local staff, Professor McGready has built a network of clinics that operate a 24-hour birthing service.

Amid dangerous and challenging conditions, they also offer crucial outpatient services, vaccinations and community health information.

Professor McGready was named the ACT Australian of the Year at a ceremony in Canberra on Monday night.

"This award is not for me," she told the

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