Jenny Ellis is a sought-after lady in the Albury Wodonga Health Maternity Unit.
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But her reputation as one of the best midwives on the Border doesn’t sit well.
“It’s not individual people – we couldn’t do it without the cleaning and kitchen staff, the doctors – it’s a whole team,” she said, reflecting on her Order of Australia Medal.
“I thought it was a mistake – there’s another Jenny Ellis in Albury-Wodonga – when they rang up I said ‘I think you have the wrong person’.
“Then I was embarrassed and amazed.
“This award is for the whole maternity unit.”
I was amazed ... this award is for the whole maternity unit
- Jenny Ellis OAM
Ms Ellis completed her general training at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in 1976 – following in the footsteps of her mother and grandmothers, nursing was her aspiration originally.
But she was quickly taken by the beauty of bringing new life into the world, working as a midwife in Frankston for 10 years before moving to Gerogery.
“When you look after someone you know it sticks in your mind, that’s really special, and there’s always some sad times in midwifery and you remember those too,” Ms Ellis said.
“At Wodonga the numbers are small – at the big clinics in Melbourne the numbers are huge – and they don’t have the time or resources to give the individual care.
“It’s also nice for us because we get to know the families.”
Ms Ellis has come to know intimately hundreds, if not thousands of women and their families.
She delivered the two children of her own daughter’s childhood friend, Rebecca Schischka.
“I have known Jenny for 30 years,” Ms Schischka said.
“Growing up, I had always heard stories about what a great midwife Jenny was, but it wasn’t until I was pregnant with Lily that I got to experience it firsthand.
“If I had concerns or questions, Jenny’s answers would put my mind at ease and I thought it was because I knew her well, but I’m surprised by the number of women I have met who have experienced this same level of care from Jenny.”
Ms Schischka recalled how the unit’s staff would light up when talking about Ms Ellis’ experience and demeanor on the job.
“Women have told me that they’re not sure they could have got through the experience without Jenny, and have even asked if they can request her for their next birth,” she said.
“Jenny is such a gentle and compassionate person and is so extremely deserving of this award.”
