Working at the Gundagai Multipurpose Service fulfilled a dream for nurse Jenny Elliott.
Jenny, a born-and-bred Gundagai local, retired on February 28 after three decades spent caring for people – more than 13 of those years with the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) at her hometown MPS.
The 63-year-old had long yearned to look after people and provide care for them, but the opportunity to do so only came later in life.
“After I had my children, my sister-in-law said to me ‘Why don’t you go for an Assistant in Nursing (AIN)? You’ve always wanted to do it’,” she said.
Jenny first worked in the private sector and at Uralba Hostel before starting her role as an AIN at Gundagai in 2012 – the same year the MPS opened, replacing the old hospital.
“It’s always been a love of mine to look after others, so I finally got the opportunity and I grabbed it,” she said.
“I felt very privileged to look after all the people that I have looked after – beautiful families, lovely residents, wonderful staff.
“It was very enjoyable, but now it’s time for me to put me first for a change.”
Jenny thanked the hospital’s management and her colleagues for helping “fulfil my dream of helping other people”.
“It was rewarding, just to see a smile, to see a bit of laughter, just knowing that I’ve helped someone maybe enjoy their day,” she said.
“To help someone who is not quite capable of helping themselves do everything, help them feel good about themselves, but still letting them have their own independence as much as you can.”
Jenny plans to spend more time with her two children and five grandchildren, but she won’t be going far.
“I still live here in town, just down around the corner from the hospital. So, I’ll be able to go up and just visit and see them all again,” she said.
The South West Slopes Times covers an area approximately the size of Fiji in country NSW. We look after a population of more than 50,000 people with our staff servicing 7 major towns and dozens of villages with our story telling footprint.
We offer weekly print editions at $3 a copy and we also offer digital subscriptions across 3 months $30, 6 months $60 and 12 months $120.
We are one of the last truly local independent family run newspaper businesses in the state.
Contact us today to find out how we can promote your business or organisation across our huge network by emailing ads@thetimes.net.au or by calling 0413 763 216.
If you have a news tip, lead or scoop for us please make contact as we love celebrating our communities. You can contribute articles via our South West Slopes Times website.