About Us
Our heritage-listed Queenslander in Balmoral has been home to Hawthorne Clinic since 1925—when Dr Antony St Ledger transformed his 1921-built home into the first trusted general practice for local families.
Our Story
Dr St Ledger and his wife Kathleen purchased the Queenslander in 1924 and set up the clinic by 1925, announcing it in the Courier-Mail. After WWII, a portion of the building was briefly converted into apartments while the front rooms continued to function as the clinic—eventually, the original rooms, complete with ceiling roses and its iron-framed archway, were lovingly restored.
Dr St Ledger ran the practice until 1951. Since then, the Hawthorne Clinic has seen just a couple more changes of hands, but what has never changed is its location, nor its continuous service to the community.
Dr Pagliaro joined the Hawthorne Clinic in 1966, and served the community for over 50 years, before handing on the legacy in 2016 to Dr Carmen Main and Lucas Down. They continue to uphold the clinic’s ethos with a commitment to compassionate, holistic care.
Through eras of change—from the Great Depression and WWII to modern challenges like COVID-19—the clinic has remained steadfast, grounded in a family-oriented practice philosophy.
Values that guide us
These values shape every interaction and initiative here. Our long-serving patients often pass
down stories of personal care that span decades. We believe in deep listening, thoughtful
treatment, and staying by each family’s side, generation after generation.
Trust
Care
Quality
Family
Teamwork
AGPAL Accreditation Our commitment to quality
We are proud to have been AGPAL-accredited since 2000, a voluntary recognition that reflects our dedication to continuous quality improvement, patient safety, and excellence in care.
AGPAL accreditation reassures you that we operate under the highest standards of governance and clinical safety in alignment with RACGP guidelines, regularly undergoing independent assessments to maintain our commitment to your wellbeing.
