She’s even birthed the babies of those babies. 

Now after 30 years with the Forbes District Hospital Robyn says she is ready to retire.

“There’s so much I will miss,” Robyn says. 

“It is a career that I have loved and embraced for 30 years and it has been an honour and privilege to work in a town where you know so many people.

“I’ve worked a full time rotating roster since January 1972 and now want the freedom and flexibility to spend time with friends, family and travel.”

Robyn started her general training at Canberra Hospital in 1972 and in 1975 she moved to Sydney to complete one year of midwifery with King George V Memorial Hospital for Mother and Babies - part of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

She was then fortunate to be invited back to King George to complete her post graduate studies and stayed on staff for three years.

In 1978 Robyn worked for Abbott Australasia as a rep for three years.

In 1980 Robyn worked for Eastern Suburbs Nursing Agency at Rose Bay which saw her working in many varied and interesting places including as a nurse for Sydney City Council, in private homes, at a rural property in Moree and several city hospitals as an agency nurse.

In February 1983 Robyn started at the Forbes District Hospital, but her first stint in town was short lived, as she was offered a job of a lifetime as a clinical educator in Los Alamitos, Orange County, California. 

Here Robyn taught American nurses the clinical aspect of midwifery as well as how to play cricket, even though “they held a cricket bat like a baseball bat.”

After 20 months in America, Robyn returned to Forbes which she says has some of the most gifted people she’s ever worked with.

“In Forbes there are some of the most amazing and talented nurses that I’ve worked with anywhere, including Canberra, Sydney and America,” she says.

“The doctors in Forbes are also terrific to work with.”

In 1997 Forbes Hospital was the first hospital in NSW to be accredited as Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative. Robyn was part of the original committee who worked towards that achievement. Robyn also studied to become International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

In her time as a midwife Robyn has also been instrumental in raising much needed funds for the hospital including $40,000 for a humidicrib.

She has helped coordinate five hospital balls and has served 15 years on the Health Council.

Robyn was also an elected councillor on Forbes Shire Council from 1999 until 2012.

She says that in her time nursing, many things have changed in the industry.

“The technology and nursing practices have changed dramatically and there is much more involvement of the patient in their own care,” she says. 

“There is much more continuity of care with antenatal clinics…and the dads are more hands on.”

The hospital held a surprise afternoon tea for Robyn last week.

She officially finished work on Sunday, September 14, coincidently her birthday so retirement was a “present to herself”.

However retirement hasn’t been all that relaxing so far for Robyn who is currently doing casual hours to fill gaps in the roster.

Robyn says it’s been an incredible and fulfilling career that she will certainly miss. 

“I really will miss this environment and team - they are my second family,” she said. 

“It’s been a privilege to have a window into a family’s most special moments. 

“There is nothing more special than to see the interaction of mums and dads and the siblings when they come to meet the baby.

“Life doesn’t get much better than that.”