Four decades of compassion, sleep-deprivation and 3am toast: Therese Burgess recognised with 'Life Governor' Award

Her 40 years of service is this week being recognised by Grampians Health, with presentation of a ‘Life Governor Award’ at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting. 

Therese felt innately built for her ‘Night Supervisor/After Hours Coordinator’ role, but had little choice following the sudden death of her husband, Peter. 

Night duty allowed Therese to balance dual roles of provider and parent to three children, who were under the age of 7 when their father died. 

“I had a lady come and sleep over at the house, to look after the children, so I could go to work,” Therese said. “I’d get home at 7.30am and get the kids ready for school, then have my sleep until they got home. 

“It was a necessity, because I wanted that time with them in the evenings and on weekends, when they played all the different sports.” 

Often, Therese would forego sleep to attend a school event or care for a sick child. 

Weekends were split between sporting fields and, somehow, she was actively involved with every club, community event and fundraiser. 

“I simply refused to miss out,” she said. 

Her long-term commitment and service to the Edenhope Lions Club has also been recognised, with a prestigious James D Richardson award. 

The awful circumstances behind Therese’s career trajectory make it difficult to disentangle necessity from her evident passion. 

“I had to do it, but I also absolutely loved my job,” she said. “While it was quite tragic early in the piece, I’ve had a lot of luck since then. Even before [my husband died] I would volunteer for night shift; I'm still addicted to 3am toast, that's all I needed." 

In a reference letter dated 1977, her superior described Therese as “very kind and considerate to all patients, especially the elderly”, noting she was often placed in charge of the hospital. 

Four decades on, Therese’s peers continue to describe her as “kind” and “considerate”, known for her endless compassion and 3am deliveries of tea, to patients and colleagues alike. 

“If I was teaching nursing, bedside manner would be number one; you must gain the confidence of a patient because trust is everything,” she said. 

“It’s such a privilege to have someone come in and share their stories and vulnerabilities. We’re not necessarily going to have all the answers, but we’re there to share the journey with them.” 

In the early years of Therese’s career, Edenhope hospital was abuzz with at least 20 patients. A woman in labour, victims of road trauma, someone in the midst of a heart attack or stroke, a burst appendix or pulmonary oedema – everything was treated in Edenhope at the time. 

“You just don’t know, at any minute of any day, what is going to present at that door,” Therese said. “Now, all of those cases would be flown to Melbourne and often bypass the hospital completely.” 

Although she grieved the end of midwifery care in Edenhope, Therese has embraced change as a matter of professionalism. 

She describes a sense of responsibility to keep up with technology to best serve her community. 

The workforce has also changed in recent years, as rural health organisations become increasingly reliant on migrant professionals. 

“I wonder where Edenhope would be today, if we didn’t have these wonderful people working with us,” Therese said. 

“I have learned so much and loved the experience of working with different cultures, whether it’s someone from the Philippines, Malaysia or India; they all bring new knowledge.” 

Therese is currently on long-service leave, but shared plans to retire in the near future. 

As she reflects on her career, it is again inextricably linked to her children and Edenhope locals. 

“I’m so proud of my children and what they’ve gone on to achieve – they’ve been on this journey with me the whole way,” she said. 

“I was blessed with the gifts that enabled me to cope with the situation I had to face. I could not have achieved what I have, without the unconditional love and support of my family, friends and the community.” 

Grampians Health Edenhope campus manager Tricia McInnes, who has worked alongside Therese for 25 years, said her influence would linger. 

“Therese’s impact extends to all of the great nurses working here today, because they have been nurtured and moulded by her over many years,” Tricia said. “She readily shares her knowledge, without any judgement or pressure, and leads with kindness and compassion in everything she does. We’ve already felt her loss, but Therese continues to shape our culture and service provision in so many ways.” 

Grampians Health chief executive Dale Fraser, who visited Edenhope to present Therese with the award, expressed gratitude for Therese's dedication and ongoing legacy. 

"On behalf of the wider Edenhope community, Grampians Health congratulates Therese on four decades of service, marked by professionalism, mentorship, connection and community," he said. 

"Four decades at one organisation is remarkable; it's a milestone we collectively pause to recognise and appreciate. 

"We wish Therese happiness and sleep-filled nights, as she spends precious time with her grandchildren."