Half-century of service for Lois

LONG-standing local nurse Lois Hore has seen and done it all.

Approaching 50 years in the profession, Mrs Hore has worked as a nurse in roles including aged care, administration and COVID immunisation, and is now part of Bendigo Health’s Discharge Lounge team.

Across half a century she has witnessed the total transformation of the Bendigo Hospital campus in Barnard Street, plus massive improvements in medical technology and patient care.

Growing up in Strathfieldsaye, from the very beginning it was all she wanted to do.

“Nursing was every little girl’s dream,” she said.

“When I left school at 14 I didn’t have enough education, so I worked in cafes, garages, wherever I could.

“But the idea stayed in my head, and in the end I became a nursing aide at the former Home and Hospital for the Aged. That was 23 June, 1975.”

Decades later, Mrs Hore said with a mix of amazement and nostalgia: “Oh my goodness, the changes…

“All the computerised stuff’s in now, whereas back in the old days, everything was done by hand.

“That was a nightmare to me (at first). I used to panic like mad because I didn’t think I could do it.

“But once I got to know it, it was quite simple and it made life a lot easier.”

She said one of her biggest highlights was when daughter Elise decided to study nursing.

“When she did her grad year at Bendigo Hospital you’d never seen a prouder mama – to be able to go to work and my daughter’s there,” Mrs Hore said.

Elise explained her own career decision: “Mum always really enjoyed her job and recommended it – my auntie’s a nurse as well so it was just around me,” she said.

“It’s been lovely working at the same hospital as Mum and catching up and having a cuppa with her after our shifts. She inspires me – she’s got such a hard work ethic; she just hasn’t wanted to stop.”

Mrs Hore said she still feels like she’s part of it all.

“I keep telling everyone when I’m not around anymore, (my spirit) will continue walking the corridors,” she said.