Carol Walsh (1945 - 2019) was one of the last nurses to complete her nurse training at Bellingen in 1966.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Motor scooters were coming into their own, so of course Carol was one of the first nurses to purchase a Vespa, which she rode around NSW. Following this she completed her Midwifery at Wollongong.
Carol’s mother's family lived around Bellingen, Grandmother Ashby and the Mahers. Unfortunately, Carol’s father was killed, returning to Leadville, when she was in first year Nursing. However, the rest of her training was enjoyed and the experiences led her into a lifetime career of motherhood and nursing.
She married Kevin Bryant, railway station master, in 1970 and moved to Bungendore, Barmedman, Ardlethan and Mudgee. This was the time when these stations were being closed.
When her two children were at high school she returned to Nursing and Midwifery at Mudgee Hospital. Then she moved into Aged Care at Moran (now Opal) Nursing Home.
There she came into her own when she gained the titles of “Fire Officer (Smoky Bear)”, “Mummy Sister Carol” by younger disability patients. She passed on her own love and compassion for Nursing, by training Assistants in Nursing, in her dual role of Education Officer and Director of Nursing. Some of them did her proud by becoming Registered Nurses.
Carol became very involved in community activities including U3A, Folk Art, Bell Ringing, and Bushwalking. Also she joined Tai Chi classes, became a volunteer leader and taught it in the Nursing Home.
Her endeavours were recognised when she was named on the Department of Primary Industries Treasurer's Honour Roll in 2014.
Carol leaves husband Kevin, daughter Jo-Anne, son Michael, grandchildren Maree and Amy.
She is another success story beginning at Bellingen Hospital, and on March 7 several of her Bellingen co-trainees and family remembered her with lunch at the Golf Club.