Passion for health: Libby Godden retires after decades in Forbes health services

Mrs Godden started her career as an enrolled nurse in general nursing at the hospital in 1970.

She worked in both the general ward and acute care for a number of years, around maternity leave, and was recognised as exceptional in her field in 1984 when she was named our Nurse of the Year.

It was shortly after this Mrs Godden applied to work in the day centre with the elderly.

The popular nurse was to be missed, but she discovered she loved working with the 'oldies' in the day centre.

"The sister in charge of the ward said to me 'if I had have known you were going out there to work, I wouldn't have voted for you'," Mrs Godden remembered at her retirement party.

Changes to the day centre's structure saw the introduction of the program 'Pathways Home' designed to keep people out of hospital.

As part of this program in 2004, Mrs Godden learned Tai Chi to teach patients, helping them gain strength and balance to improve their health and reduce the risk of falls. And this birthed another passion.

Mrs Godden developed her skills in this, and became one of only two master trainers for the Tai Chi for Health Program in NSW. 

She travelled NSW providing training for other leaders as well as providing exercise programs, falls prevention and general exercise to keep people fit at home or after surgery.

"We just tried to keep people fit and active and maintain their independence in the community," she said.

Reflecting on almost five decades working in health, Mrs Godden said she had been really lucky with management allowing her to implement programs and help people in the community.

Mrs Godden kept up her work in this until Tuesday, March 26 and celebrated her retirement with a 1970s themed party.

Her initial retirement plans include going on a few short adventures in a camper van with her husband near the end of the year.