The University of New South Wales professor died on Saturday, aged 70, after revealing in January 2022 she'd been diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Prof McLaws was a trusted voice who was frequently consulted by the media for her expertise during the pandemic, and looked to by the public for her insights into what to expect.
NSW Premier Chris Minns on Monday remembered Prof McLaws as a truly great Australian.
"From leading the charge to eliminate HIV, contain pandemics and helping stop the spread of Swine Flu," the premier wrote.
"There are very few health challenges our country faced in Professor McLaws' lifetime, that she did not tackle head on."
Deakin University epidemiology chair Catherine Bennett reflected Prof McLaws left behind a rich legacy from decades of work.
Prof McLaws graduated with a PhD in epidemiology in 1992 after earlier undertaking a bachelor of science and a postgraduate public health degree.
"She's been working in this space for over 40 years, so she was someone who came into the pandemic with really helpful background experience," Prof Bennett told ABC Radio Sydney.
Prof McLaws was involved in a range of research projects and set up surveillance systems to make hospitals safer.
"She was someone who really did have a strong and long contribution in infectious diseases," Prof Bennett said.
Prof McLaws was repeatedly recognised for her work and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2022 Queen's Birthday honours.
The last time Prof Bennett saw her was in March at a conference, where the UNSW professor was presented with yet another award acknowledging her contribution.
"It was great to see that she did get that direct feedback of how much she was appreciated," Prof Bennett said.
Outgoing Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton, who led the state's public health response to the pandemic, said he - like the public - felt reassured listening to Prof McLaws.
Her gentleness and warmth set her apart, but so too did her unwillingness to shy away from nuance, Prof Sutton said.
Prof McLaws was also steadfast and happy to speak plainly about how she saw things, he said.
"We knew that if she had something to say really stridently, or with some force and vigour, that there was a reason behind it," Prof Sutton told ABC Radio Melbourne.
"She'll be seen as that reassuring, expert voice through our most difficult days.
"She played a huge role in making us feel that we were being stewarded through that far too long a period of crisis in a way that we knew we'd get to the other side."
Newly appointed Victorian Chief Health Officer Clare Looker remembered Prof McLaws as a calm and compassionate voice who was committed to translating evidence for the community.
Infectious diseases physician and Australian National University associate professor Sanjaya Senanayake thanked Prof McLaws, his "dear friend", for guiding Australians through such a torrid time.
VicHealth chief executive Sandro Demaio said Prof McLaws was a generous and kind leader who helped countless Australians through the darkest times of the pandemic, while University of South Australia biostatistics professor Adrian Esterman described Prof McLaws as an esteemed colleague and a voice of reason.
30°C