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work" I was shown a book to fill in with my breakfast order for the next day, which one of the nurses would bring over to me.
This seemed to be a great place, some one to take you for a swim, room service included!
On Duty...
I reported for my first shift and was informed that one of my responsibilities was to cook tea for the patients! The meal was stuffed hearts! I had never ever eaten stuffed hearts let alone cooked them! Dear Hettie the resident cook gave me full instructions and I got through that hurdle. I enjoyed my two weeks. The nursing staff, medical staff, patients and their families made my time most enjoyable and I returned to Levin Maternity, but this was not to be my only involvement with Foxton Maternity.
Some weeks later I was summoned back to Sister Blake's office. She asked if I would like to return to Foxton as the Staff Nurse that I had relieved had resigned.
Miss Archibald had also left and there was a new Matron, Miss Richardson. I was very happy to return. I formed a friendship with a nurse-aid called Gill. One day Gill invited me to her flat for tea. When I arrived, her flat was a huge family home belonging to the Hunt family, but there was another surprise - she introduced me to her flat mate, Kay (Hunt) who taught me at Tararua College (Pahiatua) in 1963!
I can recall a few incidents during my time at Foxton.
It was May and we had to keep the chip heater fired up in order to have hot water. The firewood was stored in big tanks that were lying on their sides. One of the nurses went out to get a load of wood, as she reached in to get the wood an opossum jumped out of the tank. The nurse screamed and came running inside and the opossum ran off in the other direction!
Another 'Opossum Story
Once the Mums had delivered their babies they went into a big room that had a fireplace which had been boarded up. One day the patients and nurses became aware of lots of noises coming from behind the board. Workmen were called, the boarding removed and the culprits exposed:- a mother opossum and her baby!
In today's world it would be interesting to see a job description wording regarding how one would deal with the wild life...
During my time working at the Foxton Maternity Home, there was the tragedy when the Wahine ran a-ground. The community was affected by this event.
I turned 21 whilst I was at Foxton, my parents, two sisters and brother came down from Paeroa for my big day. They were made very welcome by all at Foxton Maternity. Although my time was brief, it was memorable.
Thanks to Robin Johanson (nee Johnson)
(Former relieving staff-nurse)