I joined the Anam Cara House Colac team as a Community Liaison Nurse in 2016 after living and working in the UK for 10 years – it was time to return home. Having worked in the inpatient and outpatient setting of acute health services, caring for people with cancer and blood disorders, building therapeutic and holistic care relationships with people and their carer has always been a high priority in my Nursing career.
Respect and compassion for the unique and individual diverse needs of people and their carers means that as a Registered Nurse, I felt a synergy and draw towards Anam Cara’s Colac’s model of care and mission statement.
Never, in my Nursing career had I ever been able to truly consider all elements of a person’s social, emotional and psychological needs to the full extent it deserved. Time pressures, acute care needs and the hospital environment just meant this was often pushed to the side by the important ‘tasks’ of care, with more limited opportunities to experience the ability to deliver holistic care.
I was first introduced to the Hospice Model of care in the UK and was impressed by the wrap around community based model and support available for people living with, or dying from, a chronic life-limiting illness.
From the moment I completed a placement in my Graduate Year at the Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre in Oncology and Haematology, I felt I had found my reason to nurse. Building relationships of support, care and trust is key to help people navigate their most challenging times, over 25 years later, relationships, best practice and care is still the reason I enjoy nursing. I became the Hospice Manager of Anam Cara Colac in 2024 after having the great opportunity to see the background and understand the story and the mission of Anam Cara Colac as the Liaison Nurse for 7 years.
Anam Cara Colac is an enabler for Colac and the south west of Victoria to care for their own and to support those who are living with a chronic life limiting illness and their caring network. The visionary Committee who inspired and developed our Community Hospice have provided all of us with a unique and beautiful gift.