Dimples joined the Dannevirke Community Hospital when it started 22 years ago. Sharron Wards, Manager from its inception, said at Dimples' birthday party, she was a wonderful help calling her a taonga, honoured for her integrity, pride and love – all the principles the hospital represents. She added that she told Dimples so long as she could walk up the stairs she would have a job.
This is not all of Dimples' service to the health sector in Dannevirke. She began in the Dannevirke Hospital in 1959 as a service girl in the nursing home, then in the laundry before becoming a hospital carer.
Dimples always wanted to be a nurse but family circumstances meant she could not train.
She married Albie and raised seven children, all the while working at the hospital fulfilling her dream. It is a lifestyle which suits her well, she says.
She reckons her age being similar to a lot of the elderly patients helps them to feel comfortable. In 22 years at the community hospital she has had one sick day.
While Dimples cares for others she also cares for herself. She has only just stopped working out at Wai Splash pool after her shift and still walks an hour every day to stay fit.
She uses an inversion table at home. She was part of the "Doll Birds 232" team (232 represented their combined age) with Eva Wright and Ngaire Barber who participated in the Iron Maori Napier Triathalon in 2015.
Every day she drives her grandchildren to high school, having just passed her licence again. She looks after Albie who is not very well, can be called on for an emergency day time shift and never misses a meeting.
"I can survive on about five hours sleep," she says.
She is a member of Aunty Eva's Kaumatua Group and is presently participating in an IT course.
Final word comes from Tararua Health Group (THG) operations manager Tania Chamberlain:
"Working with Dimples is an honour and a pleasure. It means a lot to me and her colleagues to have Dimples in our team, as a Kaumatua her mana and respect often gives us comfort and guidance as we work together for the community.
"She is always busy, bubbly, positive and on the go. Always ready to make staff and patients alike smile and feel at home. She is very caring towards our patients and it is obvious she has a passion for her work at Dannevirke Community Hospital.
"Dimples has an energy and zest for life in all she does, in both her professional and personal life – we could learn a lot from her. The obvious passion she has for healthcare has been with her since a young age and we are blessed as a community and an employer that she chooses to work here with us to deliver this passion. And lucky for us she will continue to do so for some time yet – she has told me she's not ready to stop yet!!
"From everyone at THG we wish you a Happy 80th Birthday Dimples and look forward to working many more years with you."
