It’s ironic the intention to travel less for work saw Ally Bennett leave her family behind in Brisbane to take up a year-long post graduate placement in Mackay.
With a 30-year career in human resources, industrial relations and management behind her, it was a global pandemic which prompted Ally to make a career change and become a midwife.
After three years studying for a Bachelor Midwifery at the University of Queensland, the graduate came to Mackay Hospital and Health Service in March 2023 on an internal secondment as part of a two-year contract with Metro North HHS.
Ally prides herself on “saying yes to opportunity”, but leaving her husband Callan and three children at home in Toowong to work full-time 1000km north took enormous courage.
Throughout her life and career, Ally has always been passionate about the values of health, education, community and gender equity.
“I initially thought about studying teaching as I think that women and children are a foundation in our community,” she said.
“Midwifery is about education and birthing is just part of it. It’s about how women transition from contraception to conception and beyond to then becoming mothers. It’s a learning process.”
“I do believe if we can give good antenatal care and give women good experiences when they first start their families, that can be life changing.”
Her graduate year in Mackay allowed her to delve into full-time employment and intensive learning to build on her skills, gain practical experience and get clinical exposure.
“It’s been overwhelmingly positive and I believe I’ve learnt more here in a regional facility than I would have in a metropolitan setting with a part-time role,” Ally said.
“It’s a fantastic, modern facility and the team in Mackay has been incredibly supportive. I think the rotation has assisted in making me a better midwife,” she said.
“I’ve had lots of access to midwives with volumes of knowledge and experience and the Women’s Unit is very well supported and managed.
“It’s a team environment where people have a genuine interest in assisting you on your learning journey, from the clinical staff, to team leaders, to the doctors.
“I’ve made lifelong friendships and been able to consolidate my skills and learning in a clinical setting. I’m very thankful – it’s really been a great opportunity.”
Ally’s decision to complete her post-grad year in Mackay certainly involved sacrifice and enormous commitment and was possible with the ongoing support of her husband, family, neighbours and close friends.
She returned to Brisbane every 10 days to see her children, Charlotte, 16, James, 13 and Olivia 11. The longest stretch she was away was three weeks.
Spending her grad year in Mackay had really been an enormous growth opportunity for the entire family.
“I think on the other side of it, my family has really grown from this experience too,” Ally aid.
“My husband’s work gave him flexibility so for the first time he’s had to contend with getting kids to three different schools daily, feeding them and all the household and family management duties.”
Ally’s last day in Mackay was April 9 and she intends to spend time holidaying with her family on the Sunshine Coast before she begins work at the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital on April 22.
She hoped the experience helped her children learn a little about courage and the willingness to take a risk.
“Sometimes, after you’ve done all the work, you’ve just got to say yes to the opportunities and really embrace doing the hard things,” she said.
“This year has been a juggle and I’m sad to be leaving, but my experience here in Mackay has cemented that I made the right decision to change careers and become a midwife.”