We give you the 'Big Duke'... Howdy Pardner!
After switching himself on (?) he educated us on two known historical events which happened on this day in...
1912 - July 3, the Australian government ordered its very first military aircraft, which consisted of two British-made Royal Aircraft Factory B.E. 2 biplanes and two French-made Deperdussin monoplanes. These four planes formed the foundation of the newly established Australian Flying Corps.
Guest Speaker - Dr Loreta Murphy: The Unintetional Exper:t 40 years of service and science
Loreta has developed a Mini Neurosurgical Assessment (MNA Tool) that has the potential to revolutionise neurological assessment for neurosurgical nurses.
Loreta traced her 40-year nursing and leadership journey from early training in Melbourne (starting in 1986) through a transformative neurosurgery career beginning in 1990 and relocation to Western Australia in 1997 (for a planned three-year “sea change” that became permanent).
She described evolving from a traditional, top-down view of leadership to an empathetic, advocacy-driven model focused on protecting patient dignity, empowering colleagues and taking principled risks.
Loreta highlighted formative experiences:
- early union leadership during hospital industrial campaigns.
- overcoming neurophobia after a dramatic bedside burr hole procedure.
- completing a PhD during COVID while working extreme shifts.
- developing a Mini Neurosurgical Assessment (MNA) tool and leading clinical and research initiatives, including LIT (laser interstitial thermal therapy) coordination and international collaborations with Canada and Pangaea Global/WHO.
Her personal stories included mentorships, mass nursing rallies, patient-centered acts like arranging a hospital wedding, and community service analogies such as the Rottnest Channel Swim—illustrating resilience, compassion, and service.
Loreta experienced devaluation (“just a nurse”) and inappropriate personal remarks in business settings. She used this criticism to reflect, adapt and later pursue further qualifications and initiatives.
At 23 she directly approached her Medical Director to highlight nurses’ distress, prompting immediate ward walk-arounds. This led to her becoming the youngest of 23 ANF Peps at St Vincent’s Hospital. In a short time, due to structural changes, Loreta became the senior and only Rep during a major industrial campaign.
Her early neurosurgery led to a lifelong passion for neurosciences. She models emotional engagement: crying with terminal brain tumor patients and during debriefs; emphasizing that empathy strengthens leadership and care.
It also led Loreta to choosing university training over hospital-based programs. University-trained nurses were taught to avoid public rebuke and maintain professional assertiveness, contrasting with hospital-trained expectations (hands behind backs, eyes down to seniors). She managed identity tensions (e.g., vest to hide lack of Nurse’s silver buckle) while advocating for underdogs and pushing for cultural change.
Sir Charles Gairdner (“Charlie’s”) is WA’s primary neurosurgery centre. 450-600 brain tumour operations are conducted each year. Total neurosurgery operations are approximately 2,000 per year and could reach about 3,000 (but limited by theatre space and bed availability).
An active committee is working to raise $30 million to improve and expand neurological service due to this severe capacity strain.
Loreta’s current responsibilities include:
- Clinical Nurse Consultant for brain tumor patients.conducting international clinical research (projects with Canada).
- establishing new clinics (often working 12–13 hours/day while paid for 7.5).
- LIT coordinator (laser interstitial thermal therapy) for epilepsy in Western Australia, guiding patients through novel laser therapy.
- Rotary Nursing Sister of the Year guest speaker.
- Being awarded Excellence in Leadership – Emerging Leader Award.) In her own words embracing a “late bloomer” identity, despite age-related comments!
Directors' reports and members' announcements
- Veronica : Congratulated everyone on a highly successful changeover on Saturday and the recipients of the awards. Encouraged members to support District at the District Changeover on Saturday 11 July at the Mercure Hotel, Irwin Street, Perth with special rates for those wanting to have a 'sleepover'. Scroll down to Events.
- Carole : Last call for the musical 'Sister Act Jr" at the Old Mill Theatere on 15 July. $37 pp. More details if you scroll down to Events.
- Gerry : Thanked secretary Alison Thair for her organisation during the previous year, and Treasurer Lyn Metccalf (the million dollar man) for his fastidious care of our funds!
- Margaret W : For those who attended Gorby's Walk around Perth, the book is now available from Margaret's book shop $40.
- Wayne M : Read a lovely message from our past RYE student Valentina assuring us of her safety and well being.
- Kelly : The weekend planting went well though several seedlings still require planting. Let Kelly know if you would like to assist, half a day for about 5-6 people in about 3-4 weeks.
- Gorby : The Hotham Valley Train expedition garnered no interest so has been cancelled. Watch out for more news on intended visit to Governor's residence and tour of the Quarantine House.
Fine Tuning by the Master
- Wayne D for here-on-in to be known as "The Duke" and also for bringing along his 'Duchess' Katrina! Then again for justifying...
- Rotarian of the year Mike Collett
- Gorby a PHF awardee for his fandom of the West Coast Eagles (not)
- Angus the ultimate weekly organiser of birthdays and anniversaries
- Astrid for NOT having a birthday this week
- Lorrie for the cleanest care (n)ever.
- Alison - too organised
- Margaret W, for (not) always being early
- Absentees from the Changeover lunch
- Ian K for his weird headwear
- Those who didn't wear RUBY on Saturday.
Heads and Tails
Attendance
41 attendees in all including Guest Speaker Dr Loreta Murphy, visitors Katrina Duke, Rhonda Kremmer, and Elisabeth Adamson.
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