An extraordinary and creative nurse: Robyn Janette Parkes 25 February 1951--30 December 2011.

• Jurisdiction: Australia
• Author: Beaumont, Marilyn
• Date: 01 February 2012

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Robyn died in Daw House Adelaide on 30 December 2011. To the end she was a person with high ideals, big ideas, and the ability to translate these to gains for the profession of nursing and high quality education and training in health.

Though born in Victoria, Robyn was a homing pigeon destined to return to South Australia. Many people across Australia and internationally had the good fortune to encounter her, whether as colleague, teacher, mentor, daughter, sister, neighbour, or friend.

Robyn began her nursing training in 1972 at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, became a midwife in Perth, and after various roles attained her first assistant director of nursing position in Whyalla South Australia.

After completing further study in nursing, Robyn's career pathway changed direction and she was appointed as professional officer for the Australian Nursing Federation (SA Branch), later progressing, in 1989 to the role of ANF federal nurse adviser. Her political savvy and strategic thinking was perfect for this role. Robyn played an important role in negotiating the channels and opportunities for the nursing profession to have a voice in many of the...