OH4697: Transcript. Interview with Jennifer Monson in 2021 by Diane Panorios.

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.