Celebrating the Heart of Care | International Nurses Day at Carinya 2025
- Sarah Jackson
- May 12
- 6 min read
Today, on International Nurses Day, we pause to honour and celebrate the extraordinary people who dedicate their lives to care, compassion, and healing our nurses.
At Carinya, we are privileged to be surrounded by nurses past and present, each with a story, a memory, and a legacy of care that continues to inspire us all. From residents who once donned the iconic cap and uniform to our team members walking the floor today, their stories remind us that nursing is more than a profession; it’s a calling of the heart.
In the lead-up to International Nurses Day, Vince from our Leisure and Wellbeing team took time to sit down with some incredible residents and staff who have dedicated their lives to nursing. They generously shared their journeys, memories, and reflections.
These stories are a beautiful tapestry of courage, compassion, challenges, and above all, connection. They speak of quiet moments holding a patient’s hand, the joy of delivering new life into the world, the sorrow of loss, and the enduring pride of making a difference, no matter how big or small.
We have created a special visual wall of these remarkable faces. Each photo tells a story, and we invite you to click on each image to discover the inspiring nursing journey behind the smile.
Explore their stories by clicking the photos below, and join us in celebrating the heart of care this International Nurses Day.
Thelma
I was a General Nurse trained at Prince Henry's and working on Warragul Rd on a 7 ward Aged Care facility. I was inspired to become a nurse because I was the oldest of 13, so caring for people sort of came naturally, and the opportunity to move to the city from Bairnsdale was one I had to take!
Aged Care was the best time; we had so much fun! I have photos of me and another nurse dressed up in old-fashioned clothes and doing silly skits, making all our patients laugh! We did such a good job in our ward, they wanted us to visit all the other wards!
Jan
I was a General Nurse and Midwife. My cousin was a nurse, and I ended up following in her footsteps, studying at the Melbourne School of Nursing.
My husband is a pediatrician, Dr. Bob Birrell OAM, so I accompanied him, saving and helping children and their mothers wherever and whenever we could. I just thoroughly enjoyed nursing, caring for women and their newborns, are some of my fondest memories.
Lea
I have always worked in nursing in some form or another all my life. I began at Dandenong Hospital and did all types of nursing from Theatre, Midwifery and Aged Care. The loss of my father when I was young in a tragic accident made me realise I wanted to help save lives.
The fondest memories I have would be helping deliver babies here at the Korumburra Hospital!
Araval
My mother is a nurse, and watching her care for others inspired me to follow the same path. I take great pride in helping people and being a compassionate presence during their most vulnerable moments.
What I remember most fondly are the small, meaningful connections I made with patients every day.
Fay
I'm a triple-qualified nurse (General, Midwifery & Infant Welfare).
I worked as a nurse for many, many years and I finished at Karingal Hospital when I retired. I became a nurse because I always wanted to help people, especially children.
I am very proud of the countless lives of the children I have saved.
Norma
I was a General/Surgical Nurse. I trained at the Melbourne School of Nursing and then worked between Fairfield, The Royal Children's, Royal Women's and Royal Melbourne Hospital was our base.
Nursing was something I just always wanted to do, so with my best friend, we did it together.
Helping people through their days and illnesses are my fondest memories
Kate
Co-CEO Clinical Services – I always knew I wanted to be a nurse from as young as four years old. It runs in the family; my mum and my nana were both nurses, and I grew up watching the compassion and care they gave others, often spending my school holidays at the aged care facility my mum worked at. I’ve always been drawn to people who were vulnerable or needed support, it’s just part of who I am. I think I was born a natural carer.
There are so many memories from my 20-plus years in nursing, but one in particular stands out. My fondest memory is from a time I was able to care for my aunt during her final days. On the day she was transitioning into palliative care, I had the privilege of helping her with her last shower at home. It was such a simple act, but incredibly meaningful for both of us.
We laughed a lot that day, especially when she reminded me that, unlike bottom dentures, permanent top teeth don’t come out! It was one of those moments filled with warmth, closeness, and even a few tears.
That experience, being there for someone I loved, not just as a nurse but as family, is something I’ll carry with me forever.
Amy and Priya
Amy - I've had great experiences with nurses/midwives, and seeing their passion for the job inspired me to become a nurse.
to be that person that can positively impact someone's day is rewarding.
Priya - My inspiration to become a nurse began with my father. He was diagnosed with cancer, and during that difficult time, I felt helpless, not being able to care for him the way I wanted to because I was far away from him. Watching him go through his illness and seeing the incredible strength and compassion of the nurses around him made me realise the powerful role nurses play, not just in treating patients, but in comforting families. After losing him, I knew I wanted to be that support for someone else. Nursing became my way to honour his memory and to ensure that others never feel as powerless as I once did.
My fondest memories in nursing come from the quiet, often unseen moments, holding a patient’s hand when they were scared, seeing the relief in a family’s eyes when their loved one improved, or simply making someone smile during a difficult day. I remember one elderly patient who had no visitors, and I took the time each shift to talk with him. He told me no one ever does this for me. Moments like that remind me why I chose this path.
It’s not just about medicine, it’s about human connection, dignity, and compassion.
Amanda
When I was younger, I visited my grandmother when she was in the hospital and didn’t like the way older people were treated. I thought I could make a difference in the lives of our older people.
Certainly not a fond memory but a lasting memory: On my 1st placement, I was standing at the end of the bed of a resident who was having his tracheostomy care attended to by a nurse. When they removed the tube to clean and suction, he coughed, and that’s all I’m saying…
I went all shades of green possible!
Kirsten
For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a nurse. I decided in year 9 at high school that it would be my career, and I worked hard, going from my small country high school to Ballarat University to complete my nursing, finishing in 2022.
One of my greatest memories/achievements is following my previous undergraduate nurses. One became a nurse educator and ICU nurse. Another is the Director of Nursing at a local hospital.
My success is that of those I have taught.
Joy
I was a General Nurse for 20+ years. I studied at Bendigo Nursing School.
I always loved caring for people, it started with friends and family, who would come to me to remedy their ailments or to ask for advice. I was like a nurse for many of them.
They would all say, Why don’t you become an actual nurse, So I did! My grandmother was also a nurse (in the real old days), and I wanted to be like her too.
My fondest memory was saving a premature baby boy, he was only 2 ½ pounds. The doctors said that he had no chance, and it was no use trying to save him. They placed a cloth over him. I came past and could hear him mewing. That's when I knew that this boy could survive, and I was determined and made sure that he would survive, and he did.
Meg
I began my nursing journey in Melbourne in 1956, leaving my family farm in Trentham to pursue my calling. Specialising in paediatric and neonatal care at Jessie McPherson Hospital
my gentle nature and deep knowledge brought comfort to countless babies and their families.
Thank you to all the incredible nurses in our Carinya family, and around the world, for the immeasurable difference you make.
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