Your Progress
In this transcript, you have edited

0 lines

0:00

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

Hello, you're listening to "In My Day", a weekly program presented by me, Tom Hadley on 2VOX FM. In this program I'll be talking to interesting people from the Illawarra about their lives and times. My first guest today is Bonnie Shuttleworth, who's lived in Bulli for more than 40 years, is an adventurous woman and amongst other things, she's tracked in the Himalayas and been a mobile nurse in the Northern Territory. Welcome to "In My Day", Bonnie, and I'll let you tell some of your stories. Hello, you're listening to "In My Day", a weekly program presented by me, Tom Hadley on 2VOX FM. In this program I'll be talking to interesting people from the Illawarra about their lives and times. My first guest today is Bonnie Shuttleworth, who's lived in Bulli for more than 40 years, is an adventurous woman and amongst other things, she's tracked in the Himalayas and been a mobile nurse in the Northern Territory. Welcome to "In My Day", Bonnie, and I'll let you tell some of your stories.
0:33

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

Thank you Tom. Thank you Tom.
0:34

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

Hello listeners. Hello listeners.
0:37

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

The tracking in Nepal was done after the mobile nursing and I had a wonderful time in the Northern Territory. I moved up there after my husband died and used my nursing certificate to see different parts, as I thought of Australia, but I was hooked on the Northern Territory. They're very friendly people up there and The tracking in Nepal was done after the mobile nursing and I had a wonderful time in the Northern Territory. I moved up there after my husband died and used my nursing certificate to see different parts, as I thought of Australia, but I was hooked on the Northern Territory. They're very friendly people up there and
1:00

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

I first worked in a clinic out in the Tanami Desert, about 700 miles southwest of I first worked in a clinic out in the Tanami Desert, about 700 miles southwest of
1:08

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

Katherine and about 450 miles northwest of Alice Springs, so it was rather isolated. There was only twenty three European people there and on and off, three thousand Aboriginals. Katherine and about 450 miles northwest of Alice Springs, so it was rather isolated. There was only twenty three European people there and on and off, three thousand Aboriginals.
1:22

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

We had many unusual things happening. I did ask the Health Department when I first applied to work in the Northern Territory We had many unusual things happening. I did ask the Health Department when I first applied to work in the Northern Territory
1:32

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

for a place where I could swim, and of course being government body they seemed to have applied just the opposite. They sent me right out on the edge of the desert and the only time there was water in the creek was during the rainy season and that was for about 3 weeks and you didn't feel like swimming very much with all the dead cattle and animals and whatever you like to have going down the creek so for a place where I could swim, and of course being government body they seemed to have applied just the opposite. They sent me right out on the edge of the desert and the only time there was water in the creek was during the rainy season and that was for about 3 weeks and you didn't feel like swimming very much with all the dead cattle and animals and whatever you like to have going down the creek so
2:02

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

I didn't get to swim very much for the first three years I was there. Then I applied for and was given a position as a mobile nurse from Mataranka. That's 100 miles I didn't get to swim very much for the first three years I was there. Then I applied for and was given a position as a mobile nurse from Mataranka. That's 100 miles
2:15

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

south of Katherine and I worked over an area of 30,000 square miles. south of Katherine and I worked over an area of 30,000 square miles.
2:22

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

Going east towards Queensland down the Roper River and then south to Daly Waters and then all stations Going east towards Queensland down the Roper River and then south to Daly Waters and then all stations
2:34

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

west of Stuart Highway west of Stuart Highway
2:38

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

back to Mataranka. I did that over a month. back to Mataranka. I did that over a month.
2:42

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

We had a doctor who flew in every six weeks and you saw your patients along the way and I found it very different from nursing in the hospital. You have to coach people to do the things you would like them to do. It's rather wonderful to do preventative medicine rather than curative medicine. But some funny things happened when I was at We had a doctor who flew in every six weeks and you saw your patients along the way and I found it very different from nursing in the hospital. You have to coach people to do the things you would like them to do. It's rather wonderful to do preventative medicine rather than curative medicine. But some funny things happened when I was at
3:06

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

Hooker Creek or Lajamanu as the Aboriginals call it. I was on a call this particular night and 2 o'clock in the morning. There was a knock on my door Sister Bonnie, help me please. Now I went out and here was this Aboriginal man who was holding his left hand against his right shoulder and his right hand against his upper right, left thigh. Hooker Creek or Lajamanu as the Aboriginals call it. I was on a call this particular night and 2 o'clock in the morning. There was a knock on my door Sister Bonnie, help me please. Now I went out and here was this Aboriginal man who was holding his left hand against his right shoulder and his right hand against his upper right, left thigh.
3:31

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

And beside him, his first wife was holding up her hands, and she had four broken fingers and his youngest wife was holding her head. And beside him, his first wife was holding up her hands, and she had four broken fingers and his youngest wife was holding her head.
3:43

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

Oh my goodness, what's happened here? So I took them over to the clinic and sewed the youngest wife's head up with seven stitches. Oh my goodness, what's happened here? So I took them over to the clinic and sewed the youngest wife's head up with seven stitches.
3:52

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

The gentleman um, had nine in his shoulder and he had this spear wound, a blunt spear wound in his thigh. The gentleman um, had nine in his shoulder and he had this spear wound, a blunt spear wound in his thigh.
4:02

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

I splinted the first wife's I splinted the first wife's
4:05

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

fingers and gave them all painkillers and told them to come home and if they had any problems come and see me. They came back the next morning. The elder lady had taken her splints off because she thought it hurt too much. The younger woman said she didn't like the tight feeling in the head with the stitches. fingers and gave them all painkillers and told them to come home and if they had any problems come and see me. They came back the next morning. The elder lady had taken her splints off because she thought it hurt too much. The younger woman said she didn't like the tight feeling in the head with the stitches.
4:26

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

And I said, oh, it's a terrible thing and he said, Oh yes, that young man he, he shouldn't have done that. He shouldn't have done it. And I said oh, what happened? And I said, oh, it's a terrible thing and he said, Oh yes, that young man he, he shouldn't have done that. He shouldn't have done it. And I said oh, what happened?
4:37

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

I said when they told me the story, their side of the story. I said when they told me the story, their side of the story.
4:42

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

they left and I said oh what a dreadful young man he was and the Aboriginal health worker said, Sister Bonnie come into your office. O oh, when I'm called in to my office, I now I'm in for- they left and I said oh what a dreadful young man he was and the Aboriginal health worker said, Sister Bonnie come into your office. O oh, when I'm called in to my office, I now I'm in for-
4:58

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

I will tell you once and once only I will tell you once and once only
5:02

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

that did not happen that way. that did not happen that way.
5:05

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

The gentleman with the wounds on his arm and leg were, was a little bit drunk. The gentleman with the wounds on his arm and leg were, was a little bit drunk.
5:11

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

And his wife is jealous that he spent so much time under the blanket with his third wife. So while he wasn't near the fire, And his wife is jealous that he spent so much time under the blanket with his third wife. So while he wasn't near the fire,
5:20

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

the campfire she hit the first, the youngest wife with a nulla nulla. It's a piece of hardwood, about 2 1/2 foot long and about oo, shall we say the size of a baseball bat. the campfire she hit the first, the youngest wife with a nulla nulla. It's a piece of hardwood, about 2 1/2 foot long and about oo, shall we say the size of a baseball bat.
5:38

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

It necessitated putting seven stitches in her head. It necessitated putting seven stitches in her head.
5:41

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

He came back and saw the young wife holding her head He came back and saw the young wife holding her head
5:44

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

so he picked up the nulla nulla and went to hit his first wife and she put her hand up and that was what broke her fingers. so he picked up the nulla nulla and went to hit his first wife and she put her hand up and that was what broke her fingers.
5:53

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

And she was very angry, so she kicked him where it hurt him most and he didn't like that because he had the wound on his right hand, he picked up his boomerang with his left hand and went to hit his wife. Now had he of hit her, he really would have killed her because they're very strong these boomerangs, they're nothing like you see people throwing- [Tom] Right. [Bonnie] around in the air now. And she was very angry, so she kicked him where it hurt him most and he didn't like that because he had the wound on his right hand, he picked up his boomerang with his left hand and went to hit his wife. Now had he of hit her, he really would have killed her because they're very strong these boomerangs, they're nothing like you see people throwing- [Tom] Right. [Bonnie] around in the air now.
6:15

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

And it's turned and travelled about 40 feet and hit this young man who was sitting at his campfire with his family. Now he didn't like that very much, so he took the barb off the top of his beer and come over and jabbed very hard into the older man's thigh. And it's turned and travelled about 40 feet and hit this young man who was sitting at his campfire with his family. Now he didn't like that very much, so he took the barb off the top of his beer and come over and jabbed very hard into the older man's thigh.
6:34

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

And the nice thing about it was And the nice thing about it was
6:37

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

it's, it really sobered the older man up. But where they hit, is for pain, is right on the sciatic nerve. So although the wound heals quickly, the pain is still there for a couple of months. And that's why I was told I wasn't allowed to call the young man, no good. it's, it really sobered the older man up. But where they hit, is for pain, is right on the sciatic nerve. So although the wound heals quickly, the pain is still there for a couple of months. And that's why I was told I wasn't allowed to call the young man, no good.
6:60

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

Lots of things happen. [Tom] Yeah, yeah. [Bonnie] I was out at Lajamanu for two years and we used to commute to Katherine. Lots of things happen. [Tom] Yeah, yeah. [Bonnie] I was out at Lajamanu for two years and we used to commute to Katherine.
7:09

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

Really, each three months for about a week and you would have Really, each three months for about a week and you would have
7:16

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

as they call a as they call a
7:18

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

position to orientate you back into living amongst people of your own kind because isolation can do funny things to lots of people. And one of the trips back, I was in one of these small planes, Till Air used to fly us from Katherine, to all the places and the young pilot Keith was flying and I always like to sit in the seat beside the pilot, position to orientate you back into living amongst people of your own kind because isolation can do funny things to lots of people. And one of the trips back, I was in one of these small planes, Till Air used to fly us from Katherine, to all the places and the young pilot Keith was flying and I always like to sit in the seat beside the pilot,
7:46

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

and I said, oh, look at that poodle and the pilot- [Tom] [laughs], [Bonnie] look down to his left, and I said, oh, look at that poodle and the pilot- [Tom] [laughs], [Bonnie] look down to his left,
7:54

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

what on board, he says. And I said, no, no, I mean in the clouds. And he goes Bonnie are you feeling alright and I said yes, look can't you see that, look it looks like a poodle. And the passenger getting off at Victoria Downs was sitting behind the pilot he says, yes I can. what on board, he says. And I said, no, no, I mean in the clouds. And he goes Bonnie are you feeling alright and I said yes, look can't you see that, look it looks like a poodle. And the passenger getting off at Victoria Downs was sitting behind the pilot he says, yes I can.
8:15

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

And I said to me, it looks like an elephant and the pilot says you're both mad. And I said to me, it looks like an elephant and the pilot says you're both mad.
8:22

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

Now, what's going on with you pair? And we're going flying along a bit further and he goes, oh I've caught it, it must be a disease. We said what's wrong with you Keith? He said, well, look at that airplane flying towards us and I said here was his cloud formation that looked just like an aeroplane. All these sort of things, we used to have a lollie, so that uh, on the desk when you saw a patient, particularly the children Now, what's going on with you pair? And we're going flying along a bit further and he goes, oh I've caught it, it must be a disease. We said what's wrong with you Keith? He said, well, look at that airplane flying towards us and I said here was his cloud formation that looked just like an aeroplane. All these sort of things, we used to have a lollie, so that uh, on the desk when you saw a patient, particularly the children
8:51

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

but the thing I found was it didn't matter who came in, they all wanted one of the snakes, the jelly snakes you used to have. but the thing I found was it didn't matter who came in, they all wanted one of the snakes, the jelly snakes you used to have.
8:59

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

And for hygiene sake, the doctor said, can I have one of those when he finished his clinic that day or he and the Air Med nurse was flying back to Katherine And for hygiene sake, the doctor said, can I have one of those when he finished his clinic that day or he and the Air Med nurse was flying back to Katherine
9:11

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

and I said, oh yes, I said you'll have to take one for the pilot. We better take two each. And the next day on the radio the doctor says, do you know Bonnie I won a competition. I can stretch that snake to nearly 18 inches. [Tom] [laughs]. and I said, oh yes, I said you'll have to take one for the pilot. We better take two each. And the next day on the radio the doctor says, do you know Bonnie I won a competition. I can stretch that snake to nearly 18 inches. [Tom] [laughs].
9:28

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

We had a wonderful time, I enjoyed the Northern Territory. I came back to the South Coast after I had my holiday, We had a wonderful time, I enjoyed the Northern Territory. I came back to the South Coast after I had my holiday,
9:38

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

I'd worked for seven years in the territory and decided that I wanted to do things and see things like the Taj Mahal in India and Mount Everest. I'd worked for seven years in the territory and decided that I wanted to do things and see things like the Taj Mahal in India and Mount Everest.
9:48

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

I wanted to go to England and Scotland, I wanted to go to England and Scotland,
9:52

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

Ireland, all these places I'd read about and heard about. Ireland, all these places I'd read about and heard about.
9:56

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

So in 1987, I'd ask for a year off So in 1987, I'd ask for a year off
10:00

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

and away I went and I enjoyed myself so much. and away I went and I enjoyed myself so much.
10:05

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

Then I stayed in and around British Isles and southern Europe for four years, and the last year I was able to travel Then I stayed in and around British Isles and southern Europe for four years, and the last year I was able to travel
10:18

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

from Morocco in Africa down through Algeria, Burkina Faso to the Ivory Coast, right across what they call the Central African Highway. from Morocco in Africa down through Algeria, Burkina Faso to the Ivory Coast, right across what they call the Central African Highway.
10:33

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

Yeah, we had to get out of the old truck with machetes and cut the bamboo across so we can find the road. Yeah, we had to get out of the old truck with machetes and cut the bamboo across so we can find the road.
10:41

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

We went down as far as Kenya We went down as far as Kenya
10:44

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

and as we stopped at different camping areas along the way, we met other people who were doing the same thing. So while in Harare in and as we stopped at different camping areas along the way, we met other people who were doing the same thing. So while in Harare in
10:55

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

Kenya, Kenya,
10:56

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

I uh, Nairobi, in Kenya I uh, Nairobi, in Kenya
11:01

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

I met another young lady who was traveling and we both wanted to see South Africa, so we decided to go to South Africa I met another young lady who was traveling and we both wanted to see South Africa, so we decided to go to South Africa
11:09

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

so we hitchhiked. so we hitchhiked.
11:11

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

And we were given rides by everybody, all nationalities, all types of people all colours of people. All of them were very friendly, helpful and informative. And we were given rides by everybody, all nationalities, all types of people all colours of people. All of them were very friendly, helpful and informative.
11:24

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

And to go to Port Elizabeth, and we were just going past the airport in Port Elizabeth when a police truck pulled over. And to go to Port Elizabeth, and we were just going past the airport in Port Elizabeth when a police truck pulled over.
11:33

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

He said we'll, the driver said, we'll give you a lift passed the airport He said we'll, the driver said, we'll give you a lift passed the airport
11:39

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

but he said, don't hitchhike anymore but he said, don't hitchhike anymore
11:42

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

because he said, uh, a man was killed last night by a hitchhiker and no one will pick you up and he said we don't want you camping on the side of the road. because he said, uh, a man was killed last night by a hitchhiker and no one will pick you up and he said we don't want you camping on the side of the road.
11:52

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

So he stopped a car, which happened to be a chemist So he stopped a car, which happened to be a chemist
11:56

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

who was going towards Durban who was going towards Durban
11:60

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

and uh, and uh,
12:01

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

he gave us a lift all the way to Durban, and we caught a bus to South Africa. he gave us a lift all the way to Durban, and we caught a bus to South Africa.
12:06

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

I had a wonderful time there until I had a wonderful time there until
12:09

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

I had all my things stolen and usually you hear children say, oh, I better ask mum for some money. This way I had to ask my children for some money [Tom] [laughs] [Bonnie] for the airfare to come back to Australia. I had all my things stolen and usually you hear children say, oh, I better ask mum for some money. This way I had to ask my children for some money [Tom] [laughs] [Bonnie] for the airfare to come back to Australia.
12:23

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

That's great. That's great.
12:25

Choose A Speaker
(only necessary when speaker changes)

Thank you Bonnie. It's been a real pleasure speaking with you. Thank you Bonnie. It's been a real pleasure speaking with you.