The Australian Women's Register

Fay Newell began her general nursing training at the Broken Hill and District Hospital on 12th July 1954. The four-year course that she undertook involved courses in Medical, Surgical, Paediatric, Accident and Emergency, Infectious Diseases and Operating Theatre procedures. After graduating as a Single Certificate Nursing Sister in 1958, Fay completed her midwifery training at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Sydney before working at the Royal North Shore Hospital. Upon her return to Broken Hill, Matron Gladys Vance made her the sister in charge of the Women’s Medical Ward.

Fay continued to further her education, gaining a Certificate in Coronary Care from the Royal Melbourne Hospital and matriculating in Broken Hill in 1979. She also received a Diploma in Teaching from the University of Newcastle in 1981. In November 1991 Fay retired from nursing, and from 1994 to 2004 became a Palliative Care volunteer. In 2008, she was named Broken Hill’s Citizen of the Year in the annual Australia Day awards for her contribution to the community.

This entry was prepared and written by Georgia Moodie.