Preferring to go by Edna, Ms Deo said when she was younger becoming a nurse was something she thought about often while growing up in Fiji.  

Her father also encouraged her to take it up as a profession. 

“Before he said, I always wanted to be a nurse,” Ms Deo said. 

“I was born in Fiji and then did my nursing (qualifications) in Fiji. 

“After a while I moved to New Zealand and I worked there for 20 years.”

Ms Deo moved to Leeton in 2013 and said she loved working at the Leeton District Hospital as a registered nurse. 

She said there were some differences in nursing when it came to working in each of the three countries. 

“Nursing itself is more or less the same wherever you might go or be,” Ms Deo said. 

“It’s just the equipment that is different. 

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“In Fiji there isn’t all the new equipment, but you do what you can.

“New Zealand is similar to Australia.”

Ms Deo has an interesting family background with a Fijian mother and an English father. 

Her father fought in several wars before making his home in Fiji and marrying Ms Deo’s mother. 

She said nursing was a big part of her life and taking up the career was something she didn’t regret. 

“I like caring for people … giving and not receiving anything in return,” Ms Deo said. 

“I like caring for any age from newborn right up until 100 or more. 

“The harder part is when you look after someone and they pass away. 

“I also sometimes work in Carramar and you do become so attached to the residents. 

“It can be really sad.”

Having more young people come through the ranks is something Ms Deo is hopeful will happen in the coming years. 

“You do need knowledge in the educational part, but it’s about being hands on and showing compassion … you have to be caring,” she said. 

“It’s a very rewarding job.”

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