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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

Tags: FiftyUp Club
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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Peter
Peter from NSW commented:

Need to target petrol with independent stations such as speedway. Supermarket stations are pushing up prices artificially through their discounts. We need to put our buying power to the test and put supermarket petrol stations pressure to compete providing genuine discounts. Not discounts at their inflated prices. 

Christine
Christine from NSW replied to Peter:

I agree with you Peter petrol prices are too high. I live in the Northern Rivers and petrol prices between Mount Burrell, Uki and Murwillumbah vary from 1.69.9 to 1.52.9, after all the price of a barrell of oil has dropped so why are we not getting the discount????, just another case of consumer being ripped off! Oh and we don't have petrol stations that support supermarket discount in these ares, one needs to go to Tweed Heads or Lismore. I don't support the big supermarkets petrol discounts, you pay for it in store anyway. 

Elizabeth
Elizabeth from NSW commented:

Broadband and home phone with telstra is too expensive. Does anyone agree. ? 

Daniel
Daniel from NSW replied to Elizabeth:

Definitely, I used to be with Telstra, they are without a doubt the best service in the country, but the prices they charge are off the planet, I have a cheaper internet connection now with IPrimus but it's a crap server, and if you go on direct debit with them they add things without asking, if you refuse to have anything to do with direct debit they charge you for all the handling that you are doing. 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

Have just looked at an interesting UK web site BLAR BLAR CARS. This car sharing site allows people to link with a car owner non car owner wishing to travel to the same area. The idea appears to be well thought out and set up with set rates which ensures the passenger only helps to cover costs and no profit is made. As we enter the school holiday period the area in which I exist provides such poor transport that even though I am on the main bus route the first train I can catch to anywhere is the 10 14 am and if travelling to Sydney arrive at Central 12 14 pm. To catch my last bus home I must be back at Central at 2 18 pm. Hardly time for doing anything. A service such as BLAR BLAR CAR would be useful when people are inflicted with such a lack of public transport. 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

The Public Health System offers free operations BUT to get that operation you have to see a Specialist in his rooms first. It cost me $190 for this so over $ 100 out of pocket. I had delayed seeing him for a year because of this cost, then the appointment lasted 3minutes, then I was put on a list 1 year ahead, this operation was cancelled last month and I've been given no new date and because it's over a year now have been told I have to see the Specialist again as a new patient, therefore costing me again, now over $200. Because of other medical expenses I will now have to save again for this, s o I'm feeling completely ripped off and at the Specialists mercy, leaving me in increasing pain for maybe another year As he is my only option in this regional area. Years ago you were able to see a Specialist in Outpatients and go on a waiting list which cost nil, I had 2 operations under this system and only had to wait 6 months and 10months. I'd like to hear if others are having similar experiences or not visiting Specialists at all due to the cost and therefore missing out on needed surgery or waiting till they become an emergency. Id like to see some system available where pensioners don't have to be out of pocket to see a Specialist or to have needed elective surgery. I'm hoping the FiftyUp Club can become an ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE in the Govt sector, especially health, as well as seeking discounts for its members. What do others think!?? 

Daniel
Daniel from NSW commented:

I agree the whole system is a rip off, I also delayed going to a specialist until i couldn't stand the pain anymore, hoping it would go away but it never does, and spending the money and having the treatment help i think it was probably worth it, but if i wasn't working i don't know how i would get on. 

Joy
Joy from NSW commented:

Travel and Health Insurance targeted for cheaper rates would be great as far as I am concerned! 

jix
jix from NSW commented:

I tried Coles insurance for home and contents,and found out quote nearly 900.00 more expensive The car insurance for our car $230.00 more than Apia 

Andrew
Andrew from NSW commented:

cheaper travel packages and travel insurance 

William
William from NSW commented:

I'm with Janette, my wife and I enjoy travelling so cheaper travel insurance would be nice. Health insurance costs are also on the agenda, so hard to keep up with $300+ payments every month. 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to William:

Now this should be a priority. Help for those as unfortunate as you should be of high on the list of things this club should concern it's self with. Good on you for having the courage to mention it. 

Janette
Janette from NSW commented:

We like many enjoy travelling would it be possible to arrange travel insurance? Jan NSW 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

what about the health funs (non profit thats a joke) The over Fiftys would join if they weren't to dear.maybe less advertiseing and sponsorship for football clubs might help them get their rates down ........... Rick from N.S.W. 

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