19 October 2020
After a long and distinguished nursing carer, former ANMF (SA Branch) president Gay Martin has pulled up stumps to enjoy a thoroughly deserved retired life.
Ms Martin has worked in many different roles in the renal field. She has a Graduate Diploma in Nephrology Nursing and undertaken Aboriginal studies. She was also the NUM of the 24-bed renal transplantation ward of a major metropolitan public hospital.
Renal nursing has allowed her to take the best of Australian health standards and ANMF’s achievements to improve conditions in places where unions were absent. Gay was Director of Nursing in Singapore at the National Kidney Foundation from 1991 to 1993 and also worked in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Other than time spent overseas Gay has been a member of ANMF (SA Branch) Council or Executive since 1988.
ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Assoc Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM said Gay and her team have provided long-term care for many patients across their lives, training them in dialysis treatment and organising transplants where needed.
“Due to the high rates of kidney failure in our Aboriginal communities, Gay has supported many Aboriginal patients who have often needed to travel to Adelaide for treatment,’’ Ms Dabars said.
“Gay’s no-nonsense approach, expertise, wicked sense of humour and caring heart have made her a perfect fit for her role.
“Anyone who knows Gay knows she’s a great Port Power fan (particularly of Travis Boak, I’ve heard) – in fact, Gay is Port Adelaide through and through and proud of it. And we wouldn’t have her any other way.
“We wish her all the best in her retirement – no doubt she’ll continue to stand up to injustice or inequality wherever she sees it. You cannot beat the habits of a lifetime.
“We congratulate Gay on her wonderful contribution.’