But she is not finished with nursing! Since January 2016 she has worked casually for the Urana and Oaklands Medical Centres with local GP Dr Veerendra Giri Yaramati as his Practice Nurse/Manager and will continue, as a casual position.
Gina’s career started with her PTS Nursing training in June 1979 at Albury Base Hospital, becoming a registered nurse in July 1982 and commenced working at Urana Hospital in August that year.
Urana Hospital was known then as McCaughey Memorial Hospital. In those days it was a 26 bed Hospital with A/E Department, theatres, maternity, children’s ward, acute and aged care beds.
“A lot has changed in those 40 years,” Gina told The Free Press. “In 1997 we became the Urana MPS (Multipurpose Service) moving into the new facility making it very sad for me to see the original building go.
“But it was just another step and another change to look forward to and adapt to - especially the introduction to electronic medical records and computers, something I didn’t grow up with.”
In 1985 she left for 12 months to complete her Midwifery Certificate at Auburn and District Hospital Sydney, successfully achieving it and returning to Urana to take up the position of Deputy Matron as it was called in those days.
“I have since been at Urana Hospital seeing it change from 26 beds to its current 23 beds, watching it lose its maternity ward, theatres and children’s wards,” Gina said.
Her roles have included registered nurse full-time (1999/05), acting Director of Nursing from 2005 to 2008, and, since 2008, registered nurse permanent part-time.
“You don’t work 40 plus years without getting attached to your patients and residents, and there are so many stories to tell about them all, some good and some sad but I would not change what I have done for anything,” Gina said of her career.
“We have had some amazing doctors over this time, Dr Yaramati especially, and have been honoured to have their support.”
Gina said she will miss her patients and residents, and her work team mates “some whom I have worked with for many years and others that I have known for only a short time”.
Gina emphasised the significance of a team working well together.
“I will not only miss the medical/nursing/ community health staff but all other people who make up our team, the kitchen and cleaning staff and of some the administration staff.
“Without all these people doing their job we wouldn’t have such a wonderful service,” the 64-year-old said.
Gina will have some more time for her crafts especially knitting and crocheting, will try a few cooking recipes, and will have some more time with her “amazing children Breanna and James and I am now a Nan to two gorgeous granddaughters Kensi ad Calli aged almost 5 and 2”.
“And I am married to a wonderful husband Patrick for 32 years who has supported me throughout those years.”
Federation Council’s General Manager Adrian Butler, who also lives in Urana, praised Gina’s wonderful career.
“Gina’s been a fantastic servant of the health community for so many years, not only covering nursing but in medical units – she’s been first class”, he said.
Management and staff have organised a get together to say farewell on Sunday, February 23 at Club Corowa at 12:00 hours.
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