4 March 2025

It’s been 50 years since a teenage Susie Barber walked through the doors of Wimmera Base Hospital, for training to become a nurse.

She was joined by 14 fresh-faced students in 1975 who, this week, reunited to celebrate their incredible 50-year milestone.

Eight of the graduates gathered at a Dimboola hotel, with two extras joining via Facetime, to reflect and reminisce on five decades in the health sector.

One was a friend from Dimboola high school and another became Susie's sister-in-law, when the friends married brothers.

Susie, who is the last of the group to retire, has this week been recognised by Grampians Health with a 50-year service award.

Grampians Health Chief Executive Officer Dale Fraser noted the community trust built by staff members, like Susie, who become the face of localised healthcare.

"There is no doubt continuity of care leads to stronger connections and better healthcare and, in this sense, Susie's contribution is impossible to quantify," he said.

"Five decades of service is a remarkable achievement and a generous gift to the wider Dimboola community. We collectively thank and congratulate Susie for her invaluable contribution."

It was during a long stint in hospital, following back surgery at 15 years old, that Susie’s career plans first took shape.

“I was out of action for virtually 12 months and that experience made me confirm that I wanted to go nursing,” she said.

She started training two years later and hasn’t looked back.

“I started in Dimboola in 1979, after we finished training, and always planned to go back to Horsham,” she said. “But I met and married a local farmer and also, I fell in love with Dimboola.”

Susie’s career began in aged care, followed by a period of district nursing.

“District nursing was very rewarding; I really got to know the community and people welcomed me into their home, with endless cups of tea,” she said.

However it was rural general practice that captured Susie’s passion, and she has been the face of Dimboola’s medical clinic since 1978.

“General practice is about far more than a medical service,” she said. “You provide so much to the community, not just in the clinic but down the street at the supermarket; you’re always that trusted face.”

So what kept Susie going for so many years?

“It’s a desire to improve someone’s life, that’s the basis of it,” she said. “Knowing you’ve helped them achieve a better lifestyle or a better health outcome – that’s very rewarding.”

Although she’s technically on long service leave, Susie has already worked her last day as a nurse and is learning to embrace retirement.

“I miss the contact with colleagues and the community, although people still stop and talk to me about work down the street,” she said.

“It’s been such a privilege and a pleasure to work with a fantastic team in Dimboola. I keep busy, with family close by, and enjoy my golf and bowls and gardening.”

Susie’s legacy continues in the form of her daughter, Breanna Eldridge, who is now Dimboola hospital’s Nurse Unit Manager.

“I’m very proud, she’s a wonderful nurse,” Susie said.

And retirement will not sever the bond of those 15 young students, who had no idea that their pursuit of a career in nursing would lead to lifelong friendship.

“We got together after 25 years, then again for this 50-year event,” Susie said. “It certainly won’t be another 25 years before we meet up again.”

Susie Barber (front left) celebrated 50 years of nursing with fellow 1975 trainees,
including high-school friend Margaret (front right).