Interview With Jennifer Monson In 2021 /

Summary

This interview was recorded for the Busselton Oral History Group with Jenny Monson by Diane Panorios on 2nd August 2021 at Busselton Hospice Care [Geographe Bay Centre] in Busselton, Western Australia. Jenny was born in 1948 in Brisbane, Queensland. At the age of 10 her family drove across the Nullarbor to Perth where her father had a newsagency. She enjoyed a happy, carefree childhood with her two younger brothers. Jenny studied and qualified as a social worker, and subsequently met her first husband Ken, who was also a social worker. After establishing a private practice in Perth, they eventually closed this and moved to Busselton for her husband’s work. They had a son Anthony, and Jenny stayed at home with him until he was 12. During this time, Jenny kept very busy pursuing home-based interests and activities. Tragically, at the age of 26, Anthony was killed in a car accident. It was when Jenny’s mother died in a large Perth hospital that she came to realise what an important experience that time is for a family. So began her enduring interest in palliative care. Jenny returned to studying in 1989, completing a Certificate in Palliative Care Studies at the WA Medical School. Jenny was very keen for the people of Busselton to have access to services locally. She gathered like-minded professionals together, formed a committee and so began the journey that led to the current Hospice Unit in Busselton.