Heather Spence OAM was inducted as a Life Governor of Cohuna District Hospital (CDH) last week.

Heather was awarded the title at the hospital’s Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday, December 12.

“Thank you to the Board for nominating me,” she said, “it’s certainly a privilege. I feel very overwhelmed.”

Dr Peter Barker OAM recalled his time working with Heather at the hospital since she started there in 1985. “We’re very happy to have Heather here,” he said before adding that Heather is the only one still at the hospital from that time and is now training the younger nurses.

CEO of the hospital, Bernadette Loughnane, praised Heather for her dedication and achievements. “In my 41 years of nursing, I don’t think I’ve ever met anybody like Heather Spence. You meet someone like Heather once in your lifetime,” Bernadette said.

Heather began her working life at Swan Hill before securing a role at Cohuna and is humbled at the acknowledgement.   

“It’s been a great journey, great role models. I can’t take any credit, I have to thank all of the staff that I’ve worked with, unbelievable, they’ve been amazing,” she said. 

“The community is wonderful, I love looking after them, and I feel like I’m the lucky one.”