Ayr hospital trio marks 120 years
JOCELYN Tuffin was 15 years old when she started her nursing career at Ayr Health Service alongside Bertilla Scodellaro and Joanne Mcbow.
Now, 40 years later, Jocelyn, Bertilla and Joanne have celebrated a combined 120 years at the rural North Queensland health service alongside 26 other staff in the Burdekin’s two hospitals.
“I left school for this job and it is surreal that I’ve worked here as a nurse for the majority of my life,” Jocelyn said.
“I like helping people at their most vulnerable time; having someone to lean on at that time is so important and something I’ve enjoyed, which is why I’ve done it for so long.
“It’s been my first and only job and I wouldn’t want to do anything else.”
Jocelyn said she knew fellow nurse and 40-year length-of-service recipient Joanne since before their nursing careers.
“I actually went to school with Joanne and we started our nursing training at the same time,” she said.
“We even lived together in the early days of our careers and became quite good friends.”
Considering herself one of the lucky ones who has spent her life doing a job she loved, Jocelyn said she would not change a thing about her career.
“I’ve really loved the clinical side of nursing, working in the emergency department and in surgeries and have just loved my colleagues,” she said.
“They are like a family away from family and I wouldn’t change a thing about my career.”
Bertilla shared Jocelyn’s sentiments and said her role as the hospital courier was one that had given her great fulfilment over the 40 years.
“I’m a people person and I enjoy communicating with people which has made this job a rewarding one,” Bertilla said.
“I’ve worked as a cleaner and in catering and I’ve seen the hospital change over the years but always for the better,” she said.
“Not many people can relate to having worked at one place for this long.
“I know we all feel good about our
contribution to healthcare and our community.”
Nurse Unit manager Joanne said she was honoured to mark the milestone with her two friends and colleagues.
“It feels really good to have reached this stage in our careers because there is a lot of history between us both professionally and personally,” Joanne said.
“Because it’s a small community we not only work together we socialise together, we share each other’s highs and lows. It’s like a family here it’s not just people who work together.”
Joanne said she was privileged to see the health services expand in the Burdekin over her four decades.
“It’s nice to be part of the evolution of the health service and to build relationships that are so very special,” Joanne said.
“The sense of community I’ve experienced in this hospital makes it a really special place to be a nurse.”
Townsville Hospital and Health Service chief executive Kieran Keyes congratulated staff on their awards and years of service.