Originally Published February 1 2022
IN all her years as a nurse, Cohuna local Heather Spence never expected to be awarded for her hard work over the years.
That was until a “beautiful client”, who she had looked after for many years, nominated her for an Order of Australia Medal (OAM).
“Originally I was going to say no (to the nomination) because I didn’t feel worthy, I thought I’ve done nothing special,” she said.
“But then I thought about it and thought, ‘No, this can highlight nursing at its most difficult time, like during COVID’,” Mrs Spence said.
“I feel very humbled and very privileged.”
The OAM recognises Australian citizens for their achievements or outstanding service, with Mrs Spence being honoured for her service to nursing.
Mrs Spence originally had her heart set on becoming a PE teacher, before her mother encouraged her to give nursing a try to help out her family as one of the eldest children with four other siblings.
So, in 1981, she began her nursing career, and quickly discovered her love for the profession.
Shortly after in 1985, she began at Cohuna District Hospital.
“I learnt very, very quickly that in a rural area you need to be multi-skilled, and once I started the study, it was like I had to keep going to keep learning more, and I actually had wonderful role models around me who actually supported and wanted us to do further study,” Mrs Spence said.
Mrs Spence’s list of qualifications was extensive, and included being a register nurse and midwife, accredited nurse immuniser, obtaining a radiology license, and a cervical screening provider.
“I want to do the right thing by my community, and to give them as much as I can, I really had to step up and do a lot of study,” Mrs Spence said.
While studying, Mrs Spence continued to work full-time, as well as help on her own farm.
She credits her determination and perseverance to her support network in her colleagues, and believed that it was because of the support she received that she was now able to provide the same support to the next generation of Cohuna nurses.
“I didn’t want to make it about me, I wanted to make it about the hospital and how great it has been to support me and the doctors and nurses that I work with, because, really, this is for them,” she said.
“This is thanking them for being such a supportive environment.
“This is about everyone who has helped me in my career.”
There have been so many memorable moments for Mrs Spence over the course of her career, from being a comfort to those in their dying minutes, to being present for the birth of her granddaughter last year, that picking one main highlight was nearly impossible.
“There is probably not one standout, there is probably just, I think in the rural environment, just knowing the people, knowing the families. It makes a difference. It really does make a huge difference.”
Mrs Spence will be presented with her medal by the Governor-General in the coming months at a ceremony in Melbourne.
