Meet Liddy: 50 Years of Nursing, Community, and a Norfolk Island Adventure
Chris O • January 20, 2026
5 Decades of Nursing, Community and a Norfolk Island Adventure
After more than five decades in nursing, Liddy could have chosen a quiet transition into retirement. Instead, she said yes to adventure, community, and a unique opportunity on Norfolk Island which we made happen. Her story speaks of experience, passion, and the joy of giving back.
A Lifetime in Nursing
Liddy has been a nurse for over 50 years, with an incredibly diverse career spanning ICU, rural and remote nursing, blood bank services, residential aged care, and many years in education across both hospital and tertiary sectors.
“As I neared retirement, I thought it would be fun to spend the last couple of years back in the clinical space,” she says. “Short contracts in rural and remote aged care felt like the perfect way to finish my career.”
Why Norfolk Island?
For Liddy, Norfolk Island was an easy yes.
“I’m a beach girl,” she laughs. “The thought of a remote tropical island surrounded by the sea really appealed to me.”
But it wasn’t just the scenery. The role itself aligned perfectly with her background in education, focusing on facility-wide education policies, procedures, and preparing staff for the introduction of the new Aged Care Act.
First Impressions: A Warm Welcome
Flying into Norfolk Island left a lasting impression.
“The emerald-green hills, rugged cliffs, and deep blue South Pacific were breathtaking,” Liddy recalls.
Her arrival set the tone for her entire experience. She was greeted at the airport with a hug, a hire car, and a friendly briefing on island life - including speed limits, cattle grids, and a very important rule: cows always have right of way!
A Day in the Life on the Island
As the educator for the whole facility, no two days were the same.
Liddy worked with everyone across the campus - nurses, doctors, admin staff, cleaners, kitchen staff, physiotherapists, and lab teams. With around 100 people on the training register, her days were filled with inductions, orientations, clinical education, in-service sessions, mandatory training, and whatever else came her way.
The Power of Community Care
What stood out most to Liddy was the deeply holistic and multidisciplinary approach to care.
“All healthcare needs are coordinated from the one campus,” she explains. “There’s real continuity of care - many of the people have grown up together and share a long history and culture. That connection makes a huge difference.”
This is what #ConnectionsWithImpact looks like in practice: trusted relationships, shared history, and care that’s shaped by genuine understanding.
Life Beyond Work
One of the biggest surprises for Liddy was just how much island life had to offer.
“Norfolk Island is incredibly community-focused and caters not only to locals but tourists as well,” she says. “From paddling groups and trivia nights to boot scootin’ classes, great coffee shops, and wonderful places to eat and drink - there really is something for everyone.”
And if you want to get involved? You’ll be welcomed with open arms.
Support from Talent Quarter
Throughout her contracts, Liddy felt well supported by her Talent Quarter consultant and the wider team.
“They were very supportive whenever I needed anything and regularly checked in to make sure everything was going well.”
Thinking About Rural or Remote Nursing?
Liddy’s advice to nurses considering a rural or remote placement is simple:
“Just do it.”
Ready for Your Own Rural or Remote Adventure?
If Liddy’s story has you thinking about taking your nursing career somewhere new, our lovely consultants, Christine or Alexiss who can help you get there. From iconic island destinations to rural and remote communities across Australia, we offer supported contracts that let you make a real difference - professionally and personally.
For general nursing roles, reach out to Christine:
Email: Christine.nazareth@talentquarter.com
Phone: +61 7 2112 6558
If you’re interested in Aged Care opportunities, Alexiss (Head of Aged Care) would love to chat:
Email: alexiss.macneil@talentquarter.com
Phone: +61 4 8583 6617
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A World Mental Health Day message from Jan Bannerman , Joint Managing Director, Talent Quarter
If you've spent a few years in Emergency, chances are you've thought about it. "Could I do remote nursing?"
When our Nurse Alex moved from Northern Ireland to Australia in November 2025 , she wanted to do two things: work as a nurse and make the most of the opportunity to explore Australia. Travel nursing has given her the chance to do both! Making the most of the time between contracts 🐋 After wrapping up a contract, Alex headed to the Gold Coast for some well-earned downtime - which happened to fall right in the middle of humpback whale migration season. “I went whale watching which was incredible. It was peak season for humpback whales migrating down the east coast. There were so many whales!” For Alex, taking a break between contracts isn’t just about travelling. It gives her a chance to properly switch off after working in demanding and sometimes unfamiliar environments. “Contracts can be both physically and mentally demanding at times, and working in unknown environments can be overwhelming. Having time off between contracts has helped me recharge to be ready for the next contract.” Work, travel and a bit more freedom One of the things Alex has enjoyed most is being able to choose contracts that suit her experience and the way she wants to spend her time in Australia. “It’s great being able to balance the work and the holiday aspects of my Working Holiday Visa. As much as I love work, I love being able to see and experience Australia in all of its beauty in my downtime.” It’s also given her the chance to broaden her nursing experience. Alex comes from an ICU background, but since starting travel nursing she’s also worked in ED and on a medical ward. And then there are the places. Instead of only visiting somewhere for a weekend, Alex gets to spend a few weeks living and working there - experiencing smaller towns and parts of Australia she might never otherwise have had the chance to call home. Next stop: Tasmania 📍 Alex has now started a new contract in Tasmania, where she’s looking forward to gaining more ED experience and, of course, exploring more of the state while she’s there. For any nurses thinking about doing something similar, Alex’s advice is pretty simple: “Do it! I was nervous to start travel nursing, but I’m so glad I did it. The team at Talent Quarter supported and guided me throughout the whole way. They are always just a phone call away.” For Alex, it’s that freedom that makes travel nursing so worthwhile. “You could work the full year straight if you want, or take months off at a time to travel. It’s up to you.” A new contract, a new part of Australia and the freedom to decide what comes next. That’s what travel nursing has looked like for Alex so far. Thinking about giving travel nursing a go? Whether you’re ready for your next contract or just curious about what opportunities are out there, we’d love to hear from you . Get in touch with our Talent Quarter team and have a chat about where travel nursing could take you next! Click here: https://www.talentquarter.com/contact-us or get in touch with our consultant, Lewis Dew!
