I completed my training at St Andrews Private Hospital in Brisbane in 1986.

We were the final group of hospital-based trainees and the only hospital to still wear the good old paper veil, as you can see in the photo below right.

After training and at the ripe old age of 20, I commenced working as a
Registered Nurse at the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).

I still remember walking in on my first day in Turner Ward.

30 beds/cots lined up and down each wall and on the veranda with little people in every space.

I had no idea how to change a nappy or feed a toddler and now I was responsible for so many of them.

I learnt very quickly and loved every part of my time there.

My favourite memory was caring for the families that came from Japan for their babies to receive a liver transplant.

They became like our own families and we spent hours scrolling through a Japanese/English dictionary to communicate with them.

We laughed and cried and were so excited when they were finally able to go home.

After working at RCH for seven years, I started at Caboolture Hospital before it opened in 1993.

Orientation was at the Sundowner Hotel and then I started as a CN in the Paediatric Ward on the
top floor of our small new hospital.

We had only a Consultant Paediatrician, Dr Nick Woolfield, and we called him directly if we had patient concerns.

Dr Nick was always extremely helpful and never cranky at us for calling, even in the middle of the night.

He came in whenever needed and often brought a loaf of fresh home-baked bread.

A little piece of trivia – while working at RCH, I helped train Michelle Hutch when she was a student.

Years later I interviewed Michelle to work at Caboolture Hospital. Years later again she became my NUM – a very good one!

With Michelle’s leadership, we started a small Paediatric outpatient service in 2006 with clinics in a modified four-bed bay.

In 2012, Children’s Health Queensland funded a purpose-built Paediatric Outpatient Unit at the front of the hospital, which was a wonderful space for our little people.

In 2018, the current Specialist Outpatients building opened, and we moved into our bright new abode in the middle of a heat wave, which we’re still in today.

On a personal note, our second child was born here.

Birth Suite was overflowing so a single room in the Maternity ward sufficed.

I remember cheers from the adjoining rooms when our son safely arrived and he cried for the first time.

In 2021, our second grandbaby was also delivered here.

I have many fond and treasured memories of years spent at Club Caboolture and I look forward to sharing more and doing my part to continue the legacy that makes this a great place to be, both a patient and a staff member.

It has and always will be a friendly, welcoming, and caring community.

Have you got a story to share? Email ckw-engage@health.qld.gov.au.