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NewsMeet the oldest Air Ambulance Nurse in Australia
Meet the oldest Air Ambulance Nurse in Australia

Meet the oldest Air Ambulance Nurse in Australia

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Last updated by Someone on

Maureen Roberts has many career highlights to share from her 32 years as Australia’s longest serving air ambulance nurse.

In a recent interview on Macquarie Media, Maureen told the story of the pilot of her aircraft passing out at the controls and how she calmly popped his oxygen mask on and brought him around enough to land the plane. And you thought your job had challenges!

Maureen began her career in the Riverina and became interested in the Air Ambulance are speaking to a fellow nurse from the service. She started her career in Albury but is now based at Mascot, near Sydney.

Another memorable moment of her career involved a premature baby in the skies over the Hunter Valley in NSW. The Air Ambulance needed to land but a FA18 Hornet on “critical fuel” took precedence. Maureen remembers saying to the Air Ambulance pilot “the fighter pilot can eject if he needs to but we can’t, we need to land”!

One of the wonderful things about her job, Maureen told us, is that every day is a different experience depending on the patients you're transporting.

“Sometimes you're taking people home to die and they know they're going to die and they have the most amazing conversations with you."

Hear the full interview with Maureen Roberts here

Originally posted on .

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John
John from NSW commented:

Better deals on power and other bills that never stop coming in 

june
june from NSW commented:

Cheaper private health insurance. Long waiting lists in public hospital make this important to have. 

BARRY
BARRY from NSW commented:

I would like to see pressure bought to bear on retailers {the big supermarkets in particular} who offer discounts for purchases but to receive the discount you have to buy two, three or more of the products. This is a form of discrimination against those of us who do not have the cash resources or the need for more than one of the products. It is no doubt great for big families but not the over fifties or low income people. 

Max
Max from NSW replied to BARRY:

Many businesses offers a discount to Seniors but staff are not permitted to mentioned this when finaliasing payment at the cash register. The customer has to ask for it (or it is quietly overlooked) and at our age it is easy to forget to ask for it. Australian laws should require businesses to display a sign at the cash register advising seniors of this discount and staff should be permitted to offer it. 

David - FiftyUp Club
David - FiftyUp Club from NSW replied to Max:

That's an interesting point Max. Thanks for sharing. 

Max
Max from NSW replied to BARRY:

You are right Barry. To get a half decent discount off petrol at Woolies Service Stations the cash register bill at a Woolies Supermarket has to be over $300.00. A husband and wife spending lots of money to feed a large family can get a good discount on petrol but a pensioner couple on limited income, able to spend less are discriminated against and receive a pittance. 

John
John from NSW commented:

I would like to get better discount on holiday and travel as we have more time to do this sort of thing 

Max
Max from NSW replied to John:

A trick told to me by a travel agent mate of mine was to do all of you connection bookings here in Australia. Say for instance you want to holiday in Hawaii be aware there are about seven islands. Pre booking flights between each of the islands before leaving Australia saves a little cash on each flight. 

Jean
Jean from NSW commented:

I would like to see more TV shows that cater for the older generation. The majority of them can't go out very often, like the younger generation and can't afford Foxtel. 

Max
Max from NSW replied to Jean:

I agree it is high time shows like Some Mothers Do have them, Stepto and Son , On the Buses, Norman Gunston, Kingswood Country and lots of other shows of that vintage were shown again as this generation have not had the oportunity to have a tummy snigger at them. I believe the only reason they are not being shown is the Political Correct crowd have wiped them from the archives. 

Kerry
Kerry from NSW commented:

We would like to know about any walking groups in our area, and fitness classes, both overweight and would like to be part of a group for unfit oldies. Also deals on compression stockings, $75.00 is too much, I don't qualify for a health card . I am 60 and my prescriptions for blood pressure, cholesterol, thyroid and anti depressant put a big strain on us monthly. 

Max
Max from NSW replied to Kerry:

Work is being done on understanding the micro-biota (Friendly Germs) that break down food in our intestines. Apparently a thin person has a different biota to that found in the gut of a fat person. It is first necessary to kill off the fat person's biota using a broad spectrum anti biotic before giving them the thin persons friendly germs. Transferring biota from a thin person to a fat person has resulted in them losing weight over a few months. Exercising was unnessarily which could be beneficial as at our advanced age it can be detrimental to our joints. So bearing this in mind you might like to kick back, enjoy life and wait until the 'Biota Pill' comes onto the market in five or ten years. 

Kerry
Kerry from NSW commented:

I do not want to be charged fees just for accessing my own money, I am retired and am restricted with the number of withdrawals I can make at ATMs, why? It is my own business how and when and where I draw on my own super pension money! What a cheek, I am with the SGE credit union. I would also like to know about a cheaper mobile, Internet and landline package. Group tours discounted too so that we can have a holiday. A lot of pensioners have a pet , cheaper accommodation and more pet friendly accommodation would be very helpful. 

Lyn
Lyn from NSW replied to Kerry:

My pet hate ...bank fees to access my money... 

Max
Max from NSW replied to Kerry:

Go to the Smokes section of Woollies or Coles to draw money out of your account and there is no transaction fee. 

Cheryl
Cheryl from NSW commented:

Anything that gives us an edge in the savings stakes is welcome. The more the better. Cheryl NSW 

Graham
Graham from QLD commented:

Just wanted to let others here know about the ADVP - Australian Defence Veterans Party - membership open to ALL Australians who are sick to death of politicians feeding themselves and ignoring those who elected them, the ADVP is a new party and growing quickly, soon hope to have the 500 members needed to go to the AEC and register as a political party. If your sick of the way things are going in this country and want to make a difference please visit http://www.audvp.com.au/ 

Mavis
Mavis from NSW commented:

Hi, My problem is dental. We just cannot afford to go. My husband and I go to the dental clinic at Westmead Dental Centre but it is difficult to get an appointment. I used to be covered by Medicare but the last government stopped that. Maybe someone can come up with a better idea to have our teeth covered. We have hospital cover with a private fund but no extras as it is too expensive. It won't be long before we have to leave that after 55 years of belonging to HCF. 

Max
Max from NSW replied to Mavis:

Some wag recently suggested we shoot our local MP that way we would be arrested and receive free board, lodgings and medical for life. Perhaps the Opposition Party would pay for the bullets. 

Graham
Graham from QLD replied to Mavis:

Hi Mavis, There is a Dental School somewhere near Central Station in Sydney that does (or did) near free dental treatment as long as you don't mind the student's poking around in your mouth 

Mavis
Mavis from NSW replied to Graham:

Hi Graham, It is very far away from us but Westmead Dental is a training clinic for students. I went there when I was a kid about 60-65 years ago. Thanks anyway! 

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