My name is Pauline McKenzie. I trained as a nurse at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne and later completed midwifery at the Mercy. In 1969, I volunteered with Australian Volunteers Abroad and was fortunate to be sent to Vanimo, Papua New Guinea. There I met Brother Jim Coucher, whose leadership and dedication inspired me deeply. I remain friends with many of the people I worked with more than 50 years later.
On returning to Australia, I brought a young baby named Louisiana to Melbourne for surgery at St Vincent’s. Her parents, James and Maria Taliimplaced their trust in me to care for their daughter, who was born with a severe hair lip and cleft palate and complex medical needs. Louisiana’s courage, and the love of her family, opened my eyes to the challenges faced by children living with disabilities and profoundly shaped my understanding of resilience and community.
In 1978, my husband and I welcomed our sixth child, Bryce, who was born with cerebral palsy. Bryce became our “hobblie kick man,” and with the support of Shannon Park the Geelong branch of the Spastic Children’s Society, he thrived —learning to walk, talk, read, and write.
After the 1998 tsunami in PNG, Brother Jim called on me again. Inspired by Bryce’s determination, we rallied supporters to help establish a centre for children with disabilities—the Senta Bilong Helpim
Those experiences, from Vanimo to Shannon Park, have profoundly influenced my life. I feel blessed to have shared in them.
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