Meet Lyndoch Village Hub resident Nola, who was born in 1942 at the Geelong Private Hospital. Nola grew up in Apollo Bay with her parents, three brothers, and sister. She remembers always playing outside with her siblings, as her mother had a rule that they could not come inside until dinner was ready. Nola attended primary school in Apollo Bay and then Sacred Heart College in Geelong.
After completing school, Nola was unsure what she wanted to do for her career. A friend was going off to nursing school, so Nola decided she would do the same. Nola began her training at the Geelong Base Hospital and lived on the campus for three years. Once Nola had completed her training, she decided to move to Brisbane and complete her Midwifery training.
Nola then moved back to Geelong and began working as the Night Supervisor Nurse at the Holy Cross Hospital. After completing this placement, she moved to Melbourne and worked in the intensive care unit at St Vincent’s Hospital. One day Nola was talking with a friend, and they told her that she would make a great Bush Nurse; this directed Nola to her next adventure.
Nola packed up her life in Melbourne, moved to Mallacoota and became the local Bush Nurse, which she says was a highlight of her career. Nola worked at several other hospitals over the years, even working at Lyndoch Living in the Audrey Prider Centre.
Later in life, Nola stepped away from nursing and became a Nanny. Her career change allowed her to do some travelling. She travelled across China, India, and New Zealand. However, one of Nola’s proudest achievements in her life was hiking the Milford Track in New Zealand.
Five years ago, Nola moved into the Lyndoch Village Hub and began receiving services through the [email protected] Program. She said, “it is the best thing I have done.”
Thanks for sharing Nola.