Jo McCubbin is best known as the mother of wildlife presenter and zoologist Megan McCubbin, and as a respected paediatrician from Australia whose work in children’s health, community care, and environmental awareness has inspired many. She is recognized for her compassionate medical practice, her quiet influence on her daughter’s conservation journey, and her lifelong dedication to improving both human and environmental wellbeing.
In this article, we explore Jo McCubbin’s life, background, relationships, career, and the enduring influence she has had on her family and community.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts About Jo McCubbin
| Full Name | Dr. Joanna (Jo) McCubbin |
|---|---|
| Profession | Paediatrician, Environmental Health Advocate |
| Known For | Mother of zoologist and wildlife presenter Megan McCubbin |
| Former Partner | Chris Packham (British naturalist and broadcaster) |
| Child | Megan McCubbin (b. 1995) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Field of Work | Child Health, Autism, Environmental Health |
| Location | Gippsland, Victoria, Australia |
| Notable Roles | Paediatrician at Fitzpatrick House and Gippsland Paediatrics |
| Public Focus | Children’s health, rural medicine, environmental awareness |
Early Life and Education
Very little is publicly known about Jo McCubbin’s early life or family background. Her preference for privacy has kept many details away from the public eye, yet her later achievements reflect a life rooted in empathy, intelligence, and determination.
Jo trained as a medical professional, starting her career in nursing before specializing in paediatrics. Her medical training led her to combine scientific skill with a compassionate approach to care. Over time, she developed a deep interest in child development and the broader environmental factors that affect children’s health.
Her education and early influences built the foundation for what would become a lifelong dedication to children’s wellbeing and environmental stewardship.
Career in Medicine
Paediatric Practice and Rural Service
Dr. Jo McCubbin is a practising paediatrician based in Gippsland, Victoria, a region known for its strong sense of community but also for limited access to specialized medical care. She has worked for many years at Fitzpatrick House and Gippsland Paediatrics, where she treats children with a range of developmental, behavioural, and physical health needs.
Her work extends far beyond standard medical practice. Jo travels to rural and remote towns such as Orbost and Lakes Entrance, ensuring that children in underserved areas receive quality medical attention. Her dedication to these communities has earned her quiet respect among both families and colleagues.
Focus on Autism and Child Development
Within paediatrics, Jo has shown a particular focus on autism, developmental disorders, and behavioural challenges. Her work in these areas has contributed to better understanding and support for children who require specialized care. She advocates for early intervention, family education, and compassionate communication hallmarks of her patient-centred philosophy.
Advocacy and Environmental Awareness
Jo’s medical perspective is deeply connected to her environmental ethics. She has long emphasized the link between children’s health and the state of the environment, often speaking about the impact of air quality, pollution, and climate change on young people.
Her social media presence, though limited, reflects these concerns. She identifies as a paediatrician concerned with climate change, unconventional gas, and public health, showing that her vision of medicine extends beyond the clinic into the health of the planet itself.
Jo has also supported organizations such as Doctors for the Environment Australia, where she promotes the message that protecting nature is essential to protecting human life.
Family and Personal Life
Relationship with Chris Packham
Jo McCubbin was in a long-term relationship with Chris Packham, the well-known British naturalist, photographer, and television presenter. The two shared a deep commitment to nature and education, which naturally shaped the upbringing of their daughter, Megan McCubbin.
Although Jo and Chris eventually separated, their relationship remained respectful and cooperative. Both continued to share responsibility for Megan’s upbringing, emphasizing emotional support, curiosity, and respect for the natural world. Chris has often spoken warmly of Jo’s role in fostering a nurturing and intellectually curious home environment.
Motherhood and Influence
As a mother, Jo McCubbin played a defining role in shaping Megan’s values and career path. From an early age, Megan was encouraged to explore wildlife, science, and outdoor experiences. Jo’s calm guidance and belief in independence gave Megan the confidence to pursue her passion for zoology and wildlife conservation, leading to her success on BBC programs such as Springwatch and Autumnwatch.
Megan has publicly described her mother as “selfless, supportive, and quietly determined,” crediting her for instilling compassion, curiosity, and resilience. Jo’s ability to balance professional life with deep personal connection made her a steady anchor in her daughter’s journey.
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Public Service and Community Involvement
Alongside her medical and family roles, Jo McCubbin has engaged in public and community service in the Gippsland region. She once stood as a candidate in Victorian state elections for the Australian Democrats (1999, 2002) and later as an independent (2006). Her platform focused on healthcare, education, and environmental protection, echoing the values she practises daily.
She has also been part of several community groups, including the Gippsland Women’s Network and the East Gippsland Arts Network, reflecting her interest in local development and cultural engagement.
Through both medicine and community work, Jo has built a legacy of trust, competence, and quiet leadership.
Professional Challenges and Resilience
Life in rural medicine is not without hardship. In 2006, Jo and a colleague resigned from Sale Hospital after disputes over service provision for children’s health. The event was described publicly as a “tragedy for regional healthcare,” underlining the difficulties faced by specialists working in resource-limited systems.
Despite professional challenges, Jo continued her medical mission privately through local clinics, showing resilience and dedication. Her commitment to her patients never faltered, and she has continued to serve the Gippsland region with compassion and integrity.
Balancing a demanding medical career, single motherhood, and life in the public shadow of her former partner required grace and quiet strength. Jo’s ability to sustain her principles while staying true to herself marks one of the most admirable qualities in her story.
Character, Values, and Beliefs
Jo McCubbin’s personality reflects steadiness, intelligence, and kindness. She believes in small, consistent acts of service rather than public gestures. Her approach to both family and profession shows a belief in care over recognition, that genuine influence is built through patience and presence, not publicity.
Her colleagues describe her as grounded and compassionate, while her family sees her as a source of quiet wisdom. Whether in a hospital corridor or a family conversation, Jo carries an air of calm authority shaped by empathy and experience.
Legacy and Continuing Impact
Jo McCubbin’s legacy lives in two powerful ways: through her medical contributions and through her family influence. In Gippsland, her work continues to support children who might otherwise go unseen in the healthcare system. Through her daughter, her values curiosity, compassion, and courage have reached millions around the world.
Her example demonstrates how deeply a parent’s integrity and patience can shape the next generation. While Jo herself remains away from the spotlight, her influence shines through every episode, campaign, and conservation message her daughter shares.
Her story is also a reminder that the fields of medicine and nature are not separate but deeply connected. Healing children and healing the planet, in Jo’s life, are two expressions of the same care.
Conclusion: A Life of Quiet Strength
Jo McCubbin’s life is one of balance, between career and family, service and privacy, science and compassion. She may not seek public attention, but her work and her values ripple outward, influencing both individuals and communities.
Her story invites gentle admiration for those who live with quiet conviction: people who build better futures not through fame, but through kindness, effort, and purpose. Jo McCubbin’s legacy is not one of noise, but of nurture a quiet force shaping both health and humanity, one life at a time.
