Monday, 9 April 2018
Vale Anne Gunn (1932-2018)
Vale Anne Gunn
In her role as a Sister (Registered Nurse), Anne Gunn was one of the original three nurses employed at South Eastern Community Care in 1971.
With her colleagues, Anne worked from a private home and used her own vehicle until SEC Care purchased their first vehicle in 1978. It was noted that Anne was extremely fond of the organisation’s ‘little red car’.
In Anne’s words – “Having been hospital trained, social visits and check visits seemed very odd to me, but it didn’t take long to see how it benefited the patients, especially those living alone. I have bathed patients in tin sheds, with the wind whistling around. I have walked a couple of miles to hermits living alone, driven miles on lonely roads. I have been into houses I would rather forget, attacked by savage dogs. I have seen and admired the women of the country, who improvising aids and caring for their sick families – they have my utmost respect” – Celebrating 40 years of Community Care (2011).
Anne was involved with many community groups and gave her time freely to church, volunteers groups and her family. Anne is survived by her three sons, one daughter, and ten Grandchildren. It is safe to say that anyone who had the privilege to be cared for by Anne, or to work alongside her admires and respects her dedication to the community and to her chosen nursing career.
