Admin Support
Department of Asthma, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine

Did you know that you are affectionately described by some patients as ‘the very nice lady with the ACCENT – and the HAIR!!’ 

Well I didn’t know that but I guess I’m relieved to be known for those reasons.  I’m fortunate with my hair as it’s low-maintenance, no fuss, just as it comes.  And what do you mean ‘accent’???

You seem to have travelled a lot – where have you lived and where were you born?

I was born in Cape Town, South Africa, but after meeting and marrying a ‘pom’ we spent a year in Zimbabwe, 6 years in England (with 10 months of that just touring the Continent in our little Bedford van) and 4 years in New Zealand before coming to Melbourne.

Have you travelled much within Australia?

Yes, we love holidaying in Australia, whether it is beachside, rainforest or desert.  The last big trip was across the Nullarbor, one way by car, the other by rail.  We’ve been to Coober Pedy, Wilpena Pound, Alice Springs and all the major cities.  My job with FAI Insurance took us to Sydney for over two years so that gave us the opportunity to explore parts of the city and NSW that we might have otherwise overlooked.

Where is your next holiday destination?

Our next big trip is to South Africa.  One of my squash team is the current World Ladies Deaf Squash Champion and we are supporting her when she defends her title later this year.  It is always a pleasure to see my home town again but this time we will have the added pleasure of seeing my niece’s son born in April. It will be strange being a South African supporting an Aussie but this is our home now and we are here to stay.

So you haven’t always worked in the Health Industry

No but I did want to be a nurse when I was younger.  However when I found out that you couldn’t just switch off the machines at 5:00pm every Friday and go to the pub I sort of lost interest.  I’ve worked in many industries such as Pest Control, Insurance, Car Dealers, Property Development, Mining (my husband says I’m still a bit of a gold digger) and Banking but my three favourites were a London fashion company, a NZ advertising agency and a wonderful spell at an FM radio station in NZ working with such a great crowd.  However I’m proud to be part of The Alfred team and I take a great deal of pleasure from working in Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine.

How did you end up at The Alfred?

When the FAI/HIH Empire collapsed I was made redundant and my boss went to jail.  We missed Melbourne so we came back and I took a temporary position at St Vincent’s Hospital.  A friend told me about the hospital job network so I checked it out and saw the advertisement for the position at The Alfred. The real clincher was the four-day week so I jumped at the chance.