Ally's story

I tell them I’m a retired midwife

As a child, Ally Page remembers dressing as a nurse. She subsequently ‘found her calling’ as a midwife.

Ally lived with her family overseas in Cyprus and Lebanon. Happy memories of Cyprus, the sea and water skiing are precious, but the strict regime of the American School in Beirut, and the stresses of ‘fitting in’, had an impact. She doesn’t remember her school years fondly: bullying and abuse marked schooling at home in England. School abroad was strict and demanding.

From Cyprus, Ally left family to return to England to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. Despite the significant disruptions to her schooling, Ally was assessed as ‘very bright’, readily accepted into nursing training, and graduated in 1977.

After moving to Australia, she established a successful career in Melbourne. Studying for a master’s degree, teaching midwifery at University, and the demands of a lecture tour lead to a severe deterioration in Ally’s health. At age 40 Ally was admitted to care in Melbourne a number of times. In 1996, she moved to the Tweed to be closer to family.

Ally's interview

Ally and her mum

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She nurtured and empowered me.

During Ally’s teenage years the family lived in Lebanon and then Cyprus. Ally didn’t always attend the local schools, and she and her mother spent a lot of time together, remaining close throughout their lives. Ally moved to Australia and then to the Tweed to be closer to family. Ally’s mother, in particular, was a lifeline during the years Ally struggled with mental illness.

Ally described her mum as her ‘best buddy’ – they did everything together.

Nursing belts

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To be in the presence of something so miraculous.

Ally graduated as a State Registered Nurse (SRN) in England in 1977. Graduation coincided with the Queen’s silver jubilee and the hallmark on the silver buckle of Ally’s belt acknowledges the occasion.

The silver buckle was later removed and worn on the red belt, to identify Ally as a midwife.

After coming to Australia, Ally worked at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, and at what is now the Monash Medical Centre. She established a successful midwifery practice, and became a recognised expert in the field of water births, lecturing and tutoring on the subject for many years.

Ally’s nursing badges

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Left to right:

• Training School for Nurses North Middlesex Hospital. Awarded on completion of hospital exams, 1977;
• The General Nursing Council for England and Wales. Awarded for being a State Registered Nurse, 1977;
• State Certified Midwife badge, 1979.