Sherree Clarke

2020 was the Year of the Nurse & Midwife. During the global pandemic of 2020, the tireless efforts of our frontline staff and care workers became paramount. Sherree is one of nine nurses nominated by our partner, the Queensland Nurses & Midwives Union (QNMU), who have gone above and beyond.

My name is Sherree, I have been working as an Assitant in Nursing (AIN) in aged care for over 20 years now. I grew up within an environment that always promoted the importance of community and supporting those who were struggling.

I always knew what I did for a living needed to be more than a pay cheque but when I found my calling I was young and struggling with who I was. I fell into aged care by filling out my forms wrong, but it ended up being the best mistake I made. Caring for our elders and giving them dignity in death has taught me a lot about history, individual struggle, as well as who I am.

But for over 20 years I have worked in a system that is broken and which values profit over humanity. I have witnessed too much abuse and neglect so I had to speak out, not only for the elders in my care, but because it is a system that will affect us all. No one is immune to ageing. I found my strength and my voice in the collective and support of the QNMU, both professionally and personally. If we observe something that is wrong but do nothing then nothing will change. One voice may not be heard but when individuals come together change is always possible.

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