9 June 2021 

Infection Control Clinical Nurse Consultant, Deidre Edmonds (or Dee as she prefers to be known), features as the lead story for the month of June in our 2021 Diversity and Inclusion Calendar, which is also Pride Month.

Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall riots which occurred in New York in June 1969, these events mark the start of the LGBTIQ+ rights movement. Pride Month is a celebration of the LGBTIQ+ community, their impact and achievements. 

Dee is a proud member of the LGBTIQ+ community and is pictured wearing her Dykes on Bikes Melbourne, motorcycle riding jacket.

She is celebrating 30 years of service at Austin Health this year.

“I love working here, I have the freedom to be myself. I’ve made many lasting connections over the years. I’m part of an organization that really cares about its people and the provision of outstanding care and support for our patients and community,” Dee explains.

“Having grown up in the norther suburbs [of Melbourne] I decided to head back out this way after the closure of Prince Henry’s Hospital in St Kilda in 1991.

I was fortunate to get a position at Austin Health on 9CD, the Cardio Thoracic Unit which was located in the Harold Stokes Building on level 9 back then. I also worked night duty for several years in the Bowen Centre with long term ventilated patients and patients in iron lungs, “she says.

Dee explains what Pride Month means to her. 

“I celebrate Pride, not just in June, but every day. Pride for me is living my life to the fullest, without barriers and enjoying the freedom to be who I am openly. I was a ‘late bloomer’ and came out at the age of 30. I’ve been very fortunate being accepted for who I am both personally and professionally. My family and friends are supportive and encourage me every day and are proud of my achievements.

"This has not been the case for many people but in recent years we have many positive changes as a result of the fight for equality and recognition of same sex relationships and acceptance of the LGBTIQ+ community,” Dee adds. 

Infection Control Clinical Nurse Consultant, Deidre Edmonds is a proud member of the LGBTIQ+ community