Sally celebrates 40 years of service

7 Oct 2024

Sally began at Berwick Bush Nursing Hospital in 1984 and on Foundation Day 2024 she reminisced on her time nursing in the Berwick community:

“Forty years, wow. It’s amazing how much the hospital has changed and yet remained the same. When I started at Berwick Bush Nursing Hospital in 1984 it was 24 beds: eight medical, eight surgical and eight maternity. Four nursing staff were rostered for a morning shift: three RNs and one EN. A workload not possible without strong teamwork. Health care computers were non-existent, nor were automated tools such as BP machines and oxygen probes. Local teenagers were employed as the supper girls. Being a community owned hospital there was a feeling of a supportive family. Fellow workers became my network of advice and camaraderie as I was the new girl on staff and later a new mum.

"Many staff were children of employees, myself included. My son Scott became the third generation in our family to work at Berwick. The hospital evolved into Berwick Hospital Incorporated and the hospital logo, ‘I Will Survive’, was seriously challenged. We had some very scary years, and we certainly embraced hope as we struggled financially. Finally, our prayers were answered when St John of God Health Care purchased the hospital in 2010.

"The staff were very concerned that the holistic care and community ethos would be lost. But we need not have worried as the core values of St John of God Health Care were the strengths we needed to shape the future and have continued into the lovely 202-bed hospital we have today.

"Being a person who uses humour as a default setting, I could tell many stories. The copious medical, personal and professional dramas and anecdotes of the hospital are the most valuable to me. However, the time the hospital entered a float in the City of Casey street parade and the time we rescued a staff member’s cat from the ceiling space was a special highlight, and organising a wedding in the labour ward with 10 minutes notice. The baby was born half an hour later!

"People ask me why I have been here so long. My answer is best described as a paraphrase from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. St John of God Berwick Hospital may be a shiny new blue hospital and specialist centre with all kinds of clever technology. It may have an ever-growing roster of attending medical officers and well-qualified staff. It may be part of a huge and well-respected organisation, and it may only be 700 metres from home. But without love, it is nothing.

"I wish to thank everyone I have worked with over the years in all the very many departments of the hospital for being wonderful friends and co-workers. I also wish to thank my husband Norm for being my home support. It has been a great privilege and a true pleasure to be here with you all. To have shared so many years of my life with you. Thank you.”

Thank you Sally for the role you have played in shaping the health care we provide to our patients today, and for your leadership and experience. We are richer for having you as part of our team.