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Evan and Barbara knock up 80 years service

Evan and Barbara knock up 80 years service

The Ensay Bush Nurse Centre (EBNC) committee of management has acknowledged the remarkable contribution of two members, Evan Newcomen and Barbara Dodd, who collectively have achieved 80 years of service to the centre.
“Barbara and Evan, along with all past and present volunteers who strive to keep utilities in our shrinking town functioning, epitomise the importance of selfless contribution to the service of others,” EBNC president, Jane Lloyd said.
“We are very proud to recognise their ongoing valuable service to the Ensay community and Bush Nurse Centre.”
Evan Newcomen joined the EBNC committee in 1968 and took on the role of treasurer.
He went away for work for two years but didn’t resign from the committee. Evan has maintained a continuous commitment to the board for more than 50 years, an extraordinary effort unmatched by any other member.
Evan’s mother, Gwen, came to Ensay in 1931 and began work as the bush nurse. She was required to ride horses to attend to patients even though she had little experience with horses.
Arthur Newcomen volunteered to assist the young nurse with her riding skills. After a nursing stint in Melbourne she returned to Ensay as a married woman, which in those times precluded her from resuming her career.
In 1998 when several board members left at once, Evan took over as president for a few years, then resumed the treasurer’s role from 2001 until 2018.
For some years during this period he was both president and treasurer.
Evan was a meticulous treasurer and managed the centre’s funds efficiently for nearly two decades.
Evan was also a member of the Omeo Hospital Board and was awarded a certificate of recognition for 13 years of service to the board.
With support from other members, Evan has been instrumental in lobbying and advocating for the centre when funding was threatened.
This advocacy has ensured the Ensay and district community retained such a vital service. Barbara Dodd has achieved 30 years of service on the committee and has had various stints as secretary over the years and possibly president for a short period. She has a prodigious memory for events and policies and can always be relied upon to provide sound explanations for most things medical.
Barbara initiated the EBNC monthly walks for heart health, which have been running for several years, and along with others, assisted the nurses with their seniors lunch program.
She coordinates the Christmas Family evening each year and was secretary of the long-running Ensay New Year’s Day sports which raised money for local charitable bodies, including the centre.
Barb has been a swimming safety officer for the school swimming program despite the fact she couldn’t swim herself. She has run CPR courses with others to teach this vital skill to community members.
Barbara is passionate about volunteering for her community and contributing to the health outcomes for its residents.
Her service with other groups is testament to this. She was a volunteer ambulance office for 29 years and was a team leader for eight of these years, retiring at 70.
Barb has also been a member of the Ambulance Auxiliary for 39 years with roles of treasurer and secretary.
She was recognised for her service by being awarded the National Emergency Workers
Medal endorsed by the Governor General. Apart from her role on the board of management, Barbara has also been heavily involved in allied services. When Marion Burden was bush nurse she enlisted Barbara to become a home carer for patients in need.
After a serious illness, one particular client was encouraged to walk again when Barb accompanied her for walks each day often stopping for ice creams at the shop.
For eight years she was also the coordinator, and a driver, for the volunteer drivers program through Lakes Community Health, enabling residents to attend health appointments in Omeo and Bairnsdale where necessary.

IMAGE:
Ensay Bush Nurse Centre president, Jane Lloyd, Barbara Dodd, 30 years service, Evan Newcomen, 50 years service, and acting chief executive officer of Omeo District Health, Leeanne Stedman. (PS)


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