Veteran Kununurra nurse honoured on State stage

A Kununurra-based nurse with more than four decades of experience has been recognised at this year’s WA Rural Health Excellence Awards.

Held on March 14, the awards aim at highlighting both the challenges and achievements of healthcare, with Jane Darlington, of Kununurra Hospital, named nurse/midwife of the year.

“I personally have got the award, but it’s for my team,” she said. “I couldn’t do my job without the colleagues who support me. Everybody in a hospital is important.”

The awards recognise health professionals who have dedicated their careers to caring for rural communities and celebrate those who have improved the range and quality of health care in regional Western Australia.

Originally from England, Ms Darlington began her nursing career more than 40 years ago and moved to Australia in 1985.

She has spent the past 21 years in the Kimberley, which she describes as “one of the most beautiful places in the world”.

In her role as a resource educator and paediatric specialist teacher, she travels across the East Kimberley, supporting staff in remote communities including Wyndham, Halls Creek, Warmun and Kalumburu.

Her work spans all levels of training, from basic life support for non-clinical staff to advanced skills for doctors.

“It’s a busy job but it’s very rewarding,” she said.

“I’m teaching things that people need to know, and things they want to know.”

Ms Darlington said training was especially critical in remote settings.

“People in large tertiary centres have more resources to call upon,” she said.

“Out here, we need education even more.”

She said delivering health care across vast distances came with unique challenges.

“People sometimes think hospitals are like what they see on TV but that’s not real life,” she said.

“We can’t have everything everywhere.”

Remote services often rely on co-ordination with organisations such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service to transfer critically ill patients to Perth.

Despite the challenges, she said rural work offered unmatched variety.

“In rural and remote settings, you have to do everything,” she said.

“That can be frightening for new staff, and that’s where my role comes in, helping them feel confident.”

“It’s very rewarding,” she said.

“And we see conditions here that people in Perth wouldn’t — tropical diseases and other issues linked to our environment and living conditions.”

Reflecting on the award, Ms Darlington said the recognition extended beyond her.

“That’s very gratifying, knowing what we do is making a difference,” she said.

“If you can make a child happy by giving them a teddy bear when they come in, then that’s your win for the day.”

“It’s not about one person,” she said.

“It’s about the whole team — from the cleaners to the kitchen staff to the clinicians.

“Teamwork makes the dream work.”

WA Country Health Service chief executive Jeff Moffet praised the winners, saying they highlight the dedication required to deliver high-quality care in rural and remote communities.

“These awards do an excellent job of highlighting some of the exceptionally dedicated and community-focused health professionals across rural and remote WA,” he said.

“They serve to remind us that delivering high-quality, equitable care in rural communities requires not only skill but a true commitment to the people in their care.

“This year’s winners and finalists are outstanding examples of how innovation, teamwork, and perseverance can make a real and lasting difference to country communities.”