In 1968, Anna Attard started her role as a receptionist at Lewisham Hospital. By that time, the hospital had already been serving the community for 80 years from when it was established by the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary in 1888.
Back then, the world was a different place. John Gorton assumed the role of Prime Minister after Harold Holt vanished in the ocean the previous Christmas, and Apollo 8 had recently completed the first human mission to the moon.
‘I saw the Front Desk Receptionist position in The Catholic Weekly and applied. The job included not just reception duties but also administrative tasks like admissions and discharges,’ said Anna, who is now a resident.
Lewisham Hospital continued to operate right up until 1988, after which it was purchased by the St Vincent de Paul Society and redeveloped into a healthcare facility.
‘Lewisham Nursing Home, as we know it now, was the private section of the hospital. The Children’s wing was the building to the left of the Nursing Home entrance,’ Anna said.
‘I worked in Lewisham Hospital for seven years and loved working with the Little Company of Mary nuns. When I was no longer working there, I came in for some of my own health care needs over the years,’ she said.
The presence of the nuns in the hospital brought Anna great comfort and enjoyment and they taught of her of the importance of attending to the patients’ social needs.
‘Sister Alphonsus was a mentor to me. She was a lovely person. On Thursdays when The Catholic Weekly was issued, Sister tasked me to hand out a copy to each patient and added, “don’t forget to say hello,”’ said Anna.
‘When I questioned her about this, she said that it was important to spend time with each patient. She was quite pastoral. That was what I loved most about my job, spending time and getting to know each patient.’
Catering to Anna’s spiritual care needs today is pastoral carer Sara Yarak.
‘I provide spiritual care for Anna and encourage her to attend weekly Mass, lead the Rosary during our weekly prayer group, and at one on one visits, discuss her emotional wellbeing,’ said Sara.
‘Anna is a warm and sincere person, and so our pastoral visits are deep and personal,’ she said.
Anna particularly enjoys leading the Rosary and loves to sing the hymn 'Gentle Woman’ after it. She has also donated rosaries to our pastoral care team that are used during our weekly prayer group, which her family brings over from Medjugorje.’
For Anna, Lewisham Nursing Home holds a special place in her heart.
‘It felt a bit strange coming back to what is now Lewisham Nursing Home as a resident, however, the familiarities eased my nervousness about coming into care,’ she said.
‘Much of here remains the same, such as the rooms, courtyard and chapel. In a way, I have come back home.’