20 February 2024

In the hustle and bustle of our daily work lives it is easy to overlook the vibrant personalities and passions that lie beneath the professional exteriors of our dedicated team members. Today we celebrate Rachael Lynch, recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), a registered nurse, mental health advocate, international hockey player, Commonwealth Games gold medallist and dual Olympian.

Tell us a bit about you and the different hats you wear.

After 15 years playing for the Hockeyroos, 2 Olympics and 3 Commonwealth Games, I retired from international hockey in 2022. Throughout my hockey career I worked as a nurse in neuro rehab and then Covid testing. When I moved back to Melbourne, I started my job at Austin Health. I also coach hockey and work as a performance lifestyle advisor at the Victorian Institute of Sport where I help athletes with their careers outside sport.

Can you tell us about your role at Austin Health?

In January last year my nan had a fall and was a patient on ward ten. I was coming in to visit her every day and could tell that the staff were fantastic. Marion was the nurse in charge that day, so I went up and introduced myself and left my details. I got a call from Simone soon after and began working there a few weeks later.

I treat every patient as if they were my own nan and always try to give them the best experience I can when I look after them. The staff on the ward are truly amazing and I've been spoilt to find a leader as supportive and understanding as Simone.

How does your passion for and career in hockey tie in with your nursing career?

Hockey has been my life for so many years and at times it has felt all consuming. When I go to work as a nurse, I love that I can think about someone other than myself. It gives me perspective and helps me to be the best person I can be, not just the best athlete I can be. I love motivating patients and helping create a team environment within the staff.

In hockey my favourite quote is 'people don't remember what you achieve, they remember how you made them feel' and I think this applies in health too. Your patients and their families may not remember what you said but they will always remember how you made them feel.

Despite all that I have achieved in hockey, if someone asks me what I do I will always say 'I'm a nurse'. This is because I'm so incredibly proud and privileged to do what I do and care for those who need it most; I never take that for granted.

How do you feel about receiving the OAM? Is there a message you would like to share?

I played a team sport because I love having people to share the big moments with. Receiving the OAM is truly humbling as I'm a proud Australian and always aim to give back to the communities I am a part of. It's the biggest individual accolade I've been given, and I am very grateful for the recognition.

I'm fortunate to already have a bit of a platform to promote the causes that I'm passionate about but no doubt this may open some doors for me. Keeping kids active, promoting mental health, and being kind will be the messages I continue to share 😊

Is there anything fun or interesting you would like to share about yourself?

In 2024 I hope to finish my book (autobiography) that I've been writing since the Tokyo Olympics.

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 Simone Burgess, the Nurse Unit Manager of Ward 10 and Rachael’s manager, shares, “Everyone here at Ward 10 is extremely proud of Rachael's achievement. When we heard the wonderful news this was no shock to us. We have got to know Rachael since starting here on Ward 10 in 2023, we see her display these values every shift. She is an extremely caring and passionate nurse and just watching the way she interacts with her fellow nurses and staff on Ward 10 you can see her natural leadership and kindness in all her interactions. We congratulate Rachael and we are so fortunate to have this amazing person as part of our team now.”