The longest-serving Air Ambulance nurse Maureen Roberts has finally called it a day after having just about seen and done it all.
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Hailing from the MIA, Ms Roberts’ 37-year-long career has left her with an archive of amazing, heart-wrenching and also terrifying memories.
Delivering a premature baby on the aircraft, taking patients home to die with their family, to quick-thinking actions saving hers and her pilot’s life, Ms Roberts says despite all the trials and tribulations of the job, she “never looked back” after that very first day.
The roots
Spending her childhood in Hillston, Ms Roberts moved to Griffith when she was 13, but didn’t realise she found her calling until working at Prince Henry Hospital, doing an intensive care course with an air ambulance nurse.
“She told me all about the job and I thought, ‘wow that sounds amazing’, the best of both worlds: A country girl living in the city can go to work and be in a different country town every day and come home and have the convenience that city life offers.”
And as they say, the rest is history.
Having family and friends in Griffith, Ms Roberts found herself picking up a friend or relative from the area on a few nail-biting occasions.
The conversations you have with people is what makes you grow as a person, and even though I feel my age I would still get that from my patients - starting up a conversation with them and they spill it all out and you come home and think, wow.
- Maureen Roberts
Her selfless nature shows through when recounting those incidents, because putting the patient’s mind at ease and giving them comfort was a keystone in her work.
“I mean you want everything to go well all the time but when it’s someone you know really well it can be difficult. But I’ve found when they know me, it helps puts them at ease.”
Memorable moments
After her boss asked her what she thought of as her highlight at her farewell party on Friday, Ms Roberts pondered on it and said no one moment could be picked as the best, as every day held something amazing.
“We carry a lot of critically ill people and it is amazing to see some good outcomes. We also carry a lot of very sad cases as well, but it can be a privilege to take that person to a place to be with their family. To me, you try to make every day a good day,” Ms Roberts said.
She says delivering a premature baby was one of the many highlights, but also the sad moments carry the same emotional weight as saving a life.
One of the most upsetting things for her was picking up young people with spinal injuries and severe damage after accidents which need not have happened.
The hardships experienced in her time were more than compensated for by the rewards that came from meeting and assisting such a diverse range of people, particularly those from rural and regional NSW.
“The conversations you have with people is what makes you grow as a person, and even though I feel my age I would still get that from my patients - starting up a conversation with them and they spill it all out and you come home and think, wow.”
Recognition
Ms Roberts was awarded the Ambulance Service Medal during the 2012 Australia Day Awards for her amazing work, in particular her quick thinking which saved her pilot on a harrowing flight in 1994.
When her pilot collapsed behind the controls while their aircraft was airborne on the way to Coffs Harbour, her pilot became her patient.
With the ‘auto pilot' activated Ms Roberts was able to provide medical treatment, rouse the man and they were able to make an emergency landing.
“As soon as the pilot could comprehend what was happening, I said ‘You’d better land at the next airport’. When we landed I felt like doing a Pope and kissing the ground.
“But you’ve got to laugh. I’m very much of the mind, it’s happened, let’s move on. We’ve had lightning strikes and the odd kangaroo strike on the aircraft as you’re landing.”
“Never look back”
Her farewell party was last Friday and said the collection of staff both past and present made for excellent story-telling.
“On my last flying day, it was amazing. I went to Sydney, Moree, Brisbane and Sydney, and as we came in the fire brigade had their water cannons out spraying over our aircraft – it was pretty magic.”
“That’s when I finally let my water works go as well.”
“For me the best parts of the job was my meeting and caring for the people of country and rural NSW. That is what it was and is all about – getting the patients to facilities they need.”
