Julianne Tatnell retires after 48 years of nursing.

After working in a haberdashery store in Caboolture and getting to meet different people each day, Julianne Tattnell knew that she was destined for a career that involved helping people.

Julianne completed her nursing training and worked for a few years at The Prince Charles Hospital.

She soon married, moved to D’Aguilar and spent a few years working in aged care at Wamuran before being interviewed for a role at Kilcoy Hospital. She was offered the job on the spot and remained there for the next 36 years.

“I loved being at Kilcoy because it meant that you were given the opportunity to do things you wouldn’t normally get to do as a nurse because we were a rural facility,” Julianne said.

“We didn’t have occupational therapists or physios for example, so we would have to organise the arts and crafts for the patients who needed them.

“I liked that there wasn’t really a hierarchy as such between the workers either. We would all work together as a team to make sure the patients were all cared for.”

Julianne noticed quickly that Kilcoy Hospital was different in more ways than just its smaller size compared to its sister hospitals closer to the city.

“Back in the 1980s, there’d be times where we’d have major motor vehicle traumas come in where every available staff member would rally and come to help,” she said.

“We’d colour code the patient red for serious, yellow for intermediate, and green for minor injuries so that we knew who to treat first.

“We could even call the local people in the area to come in and give a blood donation if we knew we needed a certain type.”

After 48 years in nursing and with the recent passing of her husband, Julie-Anne has decided to retire, but still plans to keep caring and supporting her community for as long as she can.

“I will miss it. I’ll miss the contact of people I know the most, but I’ll be keeping myself busy growing my own vegetables and volunteering for the local Lodge group and Lions Club,” she said.

“My Mum, who was born at Kilcoy Hospital, is 83 now, so I’ll be caring for her and making sure my two brothers are keeping well, too.”