The Parkes Champion Post would like to acknowledge the service of two local nurses Dawn Wakefield and Carol Wilson with their combined 81 years of dedication to the role.
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Dawn Wakefield started out her career as a trainee registered nurse in Forbes, transferring to Parkes Hospital in 1966 and worked for 18months until July 1967. Leaving nursing to get married and have children Dawn returned to nursing in 1973 at Parramatta Hospital.
In 1974 she moved back to the country and started back at Parkes hospital in 1975, between 1975 and 1980 she worked as an area manger for Tupperware.
Returning to work as an AIN (Assistant in Nursing) she worked at Rosedurnate and Niola nursing homes between 1975 and 1980.
Leaving the nursing homes Dawn returned to Parkes hospital in 1986.
In 2000-2003 she studied nursing at Charles Sturt University advancing her role as a registered nurse, 2003-2005 Dawn worked in community nursing and as a full time registered nurse (RN).
In 2006-2010 she worked as the hospitals Quality Control co-ordinator as well as her (RN) duties. In 2007 she started work again at Rosedurnate nursing home working on a casual basis.
In 2010 Dawn moved over to Forbes Hospital to take up the position of Quality Control co-ordinator there, while continuing work in Parkes.
In April 2012 Dawn took long service leave, officially retiring in Feb of 2013.
Since her retirement Dawn continues to work at Rosedurnate 1 day a fortnight and is on the Board of Directors of Currajong Disability Services.
“I’m loving my retirement,” Dawn said.
“It took me a while to get use to it, but now I love it”.
Other areas of Dawns career include training in mental health and aged care and working on community projects.
Carol Wilson started out her career in nursing by training at the Royal Alexandria Hospital for Children in Sydney as a trainee nurse, after her training in Sydney, Carol moved back to Parkes to work at Peak Hill and Parkes Hospital.
After working in the local hospitals she spent a few years working in the local doctor’s surgery and at Barrett and Smith Pathology.
Returning back to Peak Hill Hospital, Carol left Peak Hill to return to Parkes hospital working in the emergency department retiring as a registered nurse.
Retiring in December 2012, Carol has spent her retirement travelling, visiting her family and looking after her grandchildren.
When asked about her retirement she said,” I love it, it’s been excellent, you don’t realise how tired you get once you stop”.
Missing the company of her colleagues has been the only down side to her retirement.
