TOP END NURSES BUSH NURSES IN THE TOP END OF AUSTRALIA'S NORTHERN TERRITORY 1964-1973

Following general nurse training at Royal Perth Hospital, Jill remained on staff until 1963, with a year off to do midwifery training in Melbourne. Then the Matron suggested she should spread her wings. She did. Having done a child health certificate at Ngal-a, she flew to Arnhem Land as a relieving mission nurse. Here, a whole new world opened up for her. She quickly learned to have the deepest respect and affection for the tribal Aboriginal people, so recently gravitating to take up a more settled way of life as the current government policies of assimilation then integration came into being. Then the mineral exploration in traditional tribal areas exploded into mining towns. After a period working in the bush, Jill joined the Department of Health as a Rural Health nurse, based in Darwin and supporting the work of the nurses in the remote bush hospitals. Jill remained in the Top End for ten years, being involved in developing and delivering nursing services to remote communities in the Top End of the Northern Territory.