Gastro Epidemic strikes Coober Pedy – On Sunday 1st October, the BCA Doctor and Nurse flew to Coober Pedy to treat a sick baby, unfortunately despite the Dr’s and Nurses best efforts the baby did not survive.
According to BCA Pilot Allan Chadwick, the “gastro epidemic began in earnest” throughout the following week sick babies and their mothers were air lifted from Coober Pedy and evacuated to regional and remote hospitals for emergency care and treatment. One baby and mother were flown to Cook Hospital for intravenous therapy and care, whilst over the ensuing days 5 more babies and mothers were flown to Tarcoola Hospital whilst 2 more babies were flown to Ceduna Hospital for care and treatment.
(Article: ‘Epidemic Strikes Coober Pedy’ 1961, Dec, Mr. Allan Chadwick, BCA Real Australian. Courtesy of The Bush Church Aid Society).
Janice (Jenny) Gough, a long-term resident and Enrolled Nurse first arrived in Coober Pedy from Bowen in Queensland to join her husband Ron in 1962. A year later without any formal nursing training Jenny was asked to relieve Mrs. Busbridge in managing the clinic at the Aboriginal Mission for 2 weeks, whilst Mrs. Busbridge took some leave. However, it was 4 months before Mrs. Busbridge finally returned to Coober Pedy. Over the ensuing years Jenny often had people coming to her house seeking first aid care, so she continued to fill in as a relief worker for the Aboriginal Mission. In 1973 Jenny worked as a cleaner at the Medical Centre. It was not until 1982 she was able to complete her Enrolled Nursing Certificate at Port Augusta Hospital before returning to work as an Enrolled Nurse at the Coober Pedy Hospital. Jenny worked both in the Hospital and in the Community Health Centre (original building) until she retired on the 4th January 2008.