Nurses swapped their scrubs for fine dresses and suits to celebrate International Nurses Day in the North Burnett.
Last month Monto paused to honour the extraordinary contributions nurses make to their community with a cocktail evening event on 12 May.
Monto’s Albert Hotel came alive as 92 community members, nurses and non-nurses alike, gathered for an evening of celebration, reflection and gratitude.
A Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service spokesperson reported the evening was a “resounding success”.
Attending guests enjoyed an evening of connection, heartfelt appreciation and storytelling, reflecting on the vital role nurses play in healthcare and the lives of so many.
Monto Hospital’s Director of Nursing Tracey Pattie shared it was a particarly special evening, with Neroli Adams and Joanne Hawken both awarded plaques for 50 years of nursing service.
“It is an extraordinary milestone that inspired great admiration and received a standing ovation from the room,” Ms Pattie said.
During the evening guests were treated to a six-person panel of local nurses who represented a wide range of specialties and career journeys.
The attendees were invited to ask the panel questions and learn more about the diverse and dynamic world of nursing, from rural practice and emergency care to aged care and advanced clinical roles.
International Nurses Day is celebrated every year on 12 May, which is the birthday of ‘modern nursing founder’ Florence Nightingale.
The Monto Director of Nursing shared it was because of Florence’s vision and determination that they proudly serve as nurses today.
“Her legacy continues in the work we do every single day,” Ms Pattie said.
Florence Nightingale was born in 1820 to a wealthy English family while they were holidaying in Florence, Italy.
Florence grew up and defied societal expectations by pursuing nursing, which was a career considered unsuitable for women in her social class at the time.
Her courage led her to serve during the Crimean War, where she dramatically improved sanitation and healthcare practices in British military hospitals. Florence helped reduce the death rate from 42 per cent to just 2 per cent, and became fondly known as the ‘lady with the lamp’ due to her nightly rounds checking on soldiers and offering comfort through her presence and care.
Florence then went on to design hospital systems, introduce data-driven healthcare practices, and in 1860 established the world’s first professional nursing school at St Thomas’ Hospital in London.
Her vision helped transform nursing from a domestic duty into a respected, evidence-based profession – and laid the foundation for the work nurses continue today.
Ms Pattie thanked everyone involved in making International Nurses Day memorable for the Monto community.
“A warm thank you goes to the Monto Hospital Auxiliary for their generous financial support, which made the event possible, and to the incredible team at the Albert Hotel,” she said.
“A special shoutout to Murray, Stewart, and Joe, whose help, hospitality, and hard work ensured the evening was one to remember.
“Monto may be a small town, but this event proved once again that the heart of a community lies in its people — and in the nurses who serve it with such skill, heart, and dedication.”
