In the realm of Australian paediatrics and environmental health, Dr. Jo McCubbin is a name that resonates with deep compassion, activism, and dedication. Often recognized through her connection to British naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham and their daughter, wildlife presenter Megan McCubbin, Jo McCubbin’s own life and career stand as a testament to the profound impact of frontline healthcare professionals and community advocates.
Dr. McCubbin has dedicated decades to paediatric care in Victoria, Australia, particularly in the regional town of Sale. Beyond medicine, she is a prominent voice in environmental health and has actively worked with organizations advocating for cleaner energy, healthier communities, and climate resilience. Despite avoiding the spotlight, her influence spans both local medical circles and broader social causes.
Early Career and Medical Practice
Jo McCubbin began her medical journey with a focus on paediatrics, eventually becoming a respected senior paediatrician in Sale, Victoria—a small town nestled in Gippsland. Her work focused largely on vulnerable children, including those with autism, developmental disorders, and behavioural challenges. Colleagues and parents often commend her empathetic approach and ability to create safe, nurturing clinical spaces for children and families navigating complex health conditions.
Jo’s commitment to regional medicine was particularly critical in communities like Orbost and Lakes Entrance, where access to specialized paediatric care is limited. Her outreach work ensured these isolated towns received consistent and competent medical attention, bridging the rural–urban healthcare divide.
She worked extensively from Central Gippsland Health Service, and was associated with Fitzpatrick House, a center that specializes in autism spectrum disorder and child behavioural services. Her insights in autism treatment, particularly in diagnosis and early intervention, are held in high regard.
Environmental Activism: Doctors for the Environment
Dr. McCubbin’s passion extended far beyond the clinical world. She is a long-standing member of Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA)—a coalition of medical professionals addressing the health impacts of environmental degradation.
Through this platform, she advocated for:
-
Reduction in fossil fuel dependence
-
Sustainable public health policy
-
Addressing climate change as a public health crisis
-
Greater awareness of how pollution affects vulnerable populations, especially children
Her voice was particularly impactful during policy debates about coal seam gas mining in Gippsland. She publicly challenged environmental negligence and contributed medical insights into how such industries harm community health. These efforts underscored her belief that a doctor’s duty extends beyond the clinic into the community and the environment.
She also supported the Hazelwood Health Study—research investigating the long-term health impact of the Hazelwood coal mine fire in 2014 on local populations. Her clinical expertise informed data interpretation and public health response strategies.
Jo McCubbin’s Personal Life and Her Connection to Chris Packham
While Jo McCubbin’s professional work stands solidly on its own, many first come to know her through her relationship with British naturalist and wildlife broadcaster Chris Packham. Their story began in the 1990s when they were romantically involved and lived together for several years. Though they never married, they shared a deep emotional connection and remained co-parents even after separation.
Relationship with Chris Packham
Chris Packham, renowned for BBC’s Springwatch and other wildlife documentaries, met Jo McCubbin while filming in Australia. Their bond quickly grew, and with Jo already a mother to a young daughter, Chris took on a stepfather role.
They lived as a family unit during much of Megan McCubbin’s childhood. Despite breaking up around 2007–2008, both Chris and Jo continued to support Megan in her personal and professional life. In recent interviews, Chris credits Jo for raising a compassionate, intelligent daughter and for allowing him to be part of that parenting journey.
Today, Chris Packham is in a long-term relationship with Charlotte Corney, director of the Isle of Wight Zoo, while Jo remains largely out of the public eye—choosing instead to let her work and daughter take the stage.
Megan McCubbin: A Living Legacy
One cannot write about Jo McCubbin without highlighting her daughter, Megan McCubbin, born in 1995. Megan has grown into a successful British zoologist, conservationist, and television presenter, following in the footsteps of Chris Packham. Together, Megan and Chris co-host several BBC nature shows and have published joint projects like Back to Nature.
Jo’s influence on Megan is profound. Not only did she instill a deep love for nature in her daughter, but she also nurtured Megan through challenges like dyslexia and confidence issues in school. Megan often mentions how Jo’s steady, supportive nature helped her thrive in a competitive world.
Jo McCubbin in Sale, Victoria
Jo’s roots in Sale are foundational to her story. Her long tenure at Central Gippsland Health allowed her to shape paediatric services in a region often underserved by the broader Australian healthcare system.
In 2019, Jo and fellow paediatrician Dr. Peter Goss resigned from their positions in Sale due to administrative disagreements and increasing pressures on public hospital operations. Their departure caused ripples in the medical community, highlighting concerns over burnout and the erosion of local paediatric services. The loss of such experienced clinicians led to a public outcry and calls for better rural health policy.
Despite these challenges, Jo’s legacy in Sale is deeply embedded. She remains active in smaller, specialized practices, particularly in autism care, and continues to engage with local networks that support women’s leadership and environmental sustainability.
Jo McCubbin’s Wikipedia Status and Public Presence
As of this writing, Jo McCubbin does not have a dedicated Wikipedia page. Her public presence is mostly framed within family mentions or local media pieces regarding her medical or environmental work.
This absence reflects both her humble persona and the gendered underrepresentation of female professionals—especially in non-metropolitan areas—in media and encyclopedic documentation.
Jo McCubbin’s Age and Personal Profile
Jo McCubbin’s exact date of birth is not publicly listed, but context clues suggest she was born in the late 1950s or early 1960s. She appears to be in her late 50s to early 60s, based on her career timeline and her daughter’s age.
She is known to be private, thoughtful, and fiercely committed to causes that matter. Friends and peers describe her as intellectually rigorous but emotionally grounded—a balance that makes her both a great clinician and a trustworthy community advocate.
Jo McCubbin’s Continued Influence
Even in semi-retirement or reduced public practice, Jo continues to inspire. Her work has not only touched the lives of hundreds of families directly through clinical care but has also shaped broader conversations around:
-
Access to regional paediatric healthcare
-
The environmental determinants of health
-
Women in medicine and leadership
-
Integrating family, science, and activism in one’s life journey
She remains active in local advocacy through Gippsland Women’s Network, mentors young clinicians, and occasionally speaks at environmental forums.
Final Reflections: A Quiet Force of Good
In a world increasingly driven by media appearances and social status, Jo McCubbin’s legacy lies in her unwavering integrity. She chose children over politics, care over profit, and truth over convenience.
Her story is not one of celebrity, but of purpose. And while her name might be known to many because of her relationship with Chris Packham or as Megan McCubbin’s mother, Jo’s true impact is seen in the healthier lives of children, the cleaner air of Gippsland, and the powerful legacy of family, service, and science.
This profile is brought to you by Digi Journal, where we uncover stories of unsung heroes shaping our world.