Barwon Health cancer nurse specialist Linda Woodford is Barwon Health Foundation and Ceres Life’s newest ambassador. The Geelong West woman speaks with Jena Carr about what she loves about where she lives and what it means to work across the same wards where her mother was cared for before dying from cancer.
What do you love most about where you live?
I live in Geelong West, and I’ve lived here for 30-plus years. I’m in a historic home, and I live opposite a park. I’m also just a short walk to the waterfront and the vibrancy of Pakington Street.
My kids went to the local primary school and high schools, and I love the sense of community that Geelong has. It’s an amazing place to live.
Where is your favourite place to spend time?
There’s so much about my life, where I live and what I do to find a specific spot I love the most. I have three children, who have partners, and two grandchildren, so I love spending time with them.
I also love travelling, going on adventures, working, and spending time with my friends. I live a very fortunate life.
Is there anything that you would change about where you live?
I’m really fortunate, and there is not too much that I would change.
What do you love most about being a cancer specialist nurse at Barwon Health?
I love the work I do as a cancer specialist nurse at the Geelong Hospital, and I work with an amazing team of people who are amazing, caring, kind and inclusive.
It’s been a beautiful fit for me as I can build relationships with my patients while hopefully making a difference and working with such an incredibly dedicated and capable team.
I hope to make a difference for patients, and I experienced the care that my colleagues gave my mother, which was comforting during the difficult time. She truly felt like she was a queen.
How does being a Barwon Health Foundation and Ceries Life ambassador feel?
I am so privileged to have been asked to do this. Initially, they wanted both my mother and me to do it together, but she passed away beforehand.
The Barwon Health Foundation provides funds to support people in need in the region, and that money makes a big difference to the patients I look after.
There’s such a dedicated and beautiful team at the Barwon Health Foundation. I have fundraised before for cancer services, and they’re just so committed and dedicated to making a difference.
What is something that people might not know about you?
I love to travel, and I’ve been fortunate to do a lot of travel. One thing I am very proud of is that two years ago, I was in the Cross Egypt Challenge, where I rode a motorbike 2900km around Egypt.
