Trade pioneer to cancer nurse
19 March 2025
Catherine Olston might boast the most unique career portfolio in Australia but there is no doubting whatever her role, she is fully committed to it.
Catherine is highly regarded at Wimmera Cancer Centre for her work as a cancer resource nurse – but health care was far from her initial career choice.
As a youngster Catherine had enjoyed working with her father on his stock truck and loved working outdoors. She aimed to be a mechanic and work in overalls and elastic-sided work boots.
When Catherine was studying at Horsham High School, trade subjects were not an option and girls were only allowed to attend Horsham Technical School at Form Five.
At the first chance available, she moved to Horsham Technical School to study trades but ran into a few hurdles when she was ready for a career in what was then exclusively a male occupancy. Her careers teacher suggested a fitter and turner job. Catherine didn’t know what he was talking about but it ‘ticked all the boxes’.
She was grateful to the late Trevor Pohlner for giving her a three-month trial at his Haven business Pohlner Engineering and she started her four-year apprenticeship in 1976.
In1980, she became Australia’s first fully qualified female fitter and turner. She proved her ground-breaking ability to the naysayers of the time by also winning Apprentice of the Year.
Pioneering the way for women was a breakthrough period for Catherine but she wasn’t completely happy with her choice and eventually she left. She went on to try a diverse variety of roles including firefighting, stock transport driver, tree pruning, cleaning and even onion farming.
Catherine’s grandmother had always encouraged her to take up nursing because of her caring and forbearing character. Responding to a newspaper advertisement, Catherine sat the enrolled nursing exam as a mature aged student at Warracknabeal Hospital in what would be the very last school of enrolled nurses to train there.
She completed her training, passing with distinctions and filled a maternity leave position at Warracknabeal for 12 months before working at Rupanyup, Murtoa and Natimuk.
Catherine eventually got a role in aged care at Wimmera Base Hospital where her husband Ian had previously worked as an orderly. She then worked for several years in the Operating Suite as a scrub nurse, sterilisation nurse and in Day Procedure unit.
She enjoyed working there but was still looking for another challenge and more patient contact.
She applied and accepted a role as a summer camp counsellor in Portland, Oregon, USA for 3 months. It was her first overseas trip and while it was daunting, she enjoyed the work, met some lovely people and came home appreciative of what Australia had to offer its employees in comparison to its Pacific neighbour.
Ready for another change, a position was created six months after the opening of the newly built Wimmera Cancer Centre, for a cancer resource nurse. Her husband Ian was already working in the centre as cleaner/ orderly. The cancer resource nurse was to support people living with cancer along with their families and carers.
Catherine took to the role seamlessly and believes it was what she was always destined to do.
“People often assume working with cancer patients would be a sad and difficult job but it’s actually very satisfying and rewarding,” she said.
“The best thing is that the people who come through here are so inspirational. They have been my best educators and provide me with the knowledge that I use for future support.
“The patients and family can talk to me as much or as little as they want but most have been very open about their journey and what they tell me can be used to help somebody else.
“As an example, pretty much everyone who finishes cancer treatment worry about it returning and people deal with that in different ways. I’ve been able to pass on the methods that others have used to deal with these anxieties.”
Catherine said it wasn’t just the patients but the families too because it’s never any easier for them.
“As much as you hear about cancer in the community, you don’t ever realise the true impact until you are told you have cancer.”
A very important part of Catherine’s role is just being available and open when someone needs to talk.
“There are times when patients come in for treatment and they want to debrief with someone and often the oncology nurses don’t have enough free time, whereas during their assessment we have time for longer conversations. A number of patients who have finished treatment still call in and we can have a coffee and a chat.”
Wimmera Cancer Centre manager Carmel O’Kane said Catherine was destined for the cancer resource nurse role.
“It’s an extremely important position and so many rely on her guidance,” Carmel said.
She’s never flustered, she listens openly and is always very considerate of her patients.”
Catherine said her role with Grampians Health allows her to help anybody from the Wimmera who has been diagnosed with cancer.
“The same applies with the Cancer Centre Symptom Management Education (SMECC) nurse who can also offer support on navigating the health service’” she said.
“It might be something like explaining the role of an Occupational Therapist and how they can support a cancer patient.
“You might not be having treatment, but you’re just worried about your health, we can still help you. We are only a phone call away. If you phone the Wimmera Cancer Centre reception, they are well versed in guiding you to the right person for the support you need.
“There are some patients who choose to have their treatment in a centre outside the region. It might be for family reasons, or they might need a different type of treatment such as radiation. They can still contact me or Wimmera Cancer Centre for guidance or to help navigate them through medical appointments.”