After four decades of dedicated service as a nurse and in aged care, Gerringong local Marilyn Heinecke bids farewell as she begins her well-deserved retirement this week.

Marilyn began her career in aged care in 1984 at Mayflower in Gerringong, now known as Uniting. She works part time at Gerringong Medical Practice where Dr Robyn Dalley also recently retired after 40 years of service to the Gerringong community.  

Reflecting on her career, Marilyn recalls fond memories of her early days in the Gerringong area with her young family. Transitioning from her Sydney upbringing, she and her young family were drawn to the coastal community where she began to work in the aged care industry. 

During her tenure at Uniting and later at the Gerringong Medical Practice, Marilyn faced many challenges, as so many in the healthcare industry do, particularly insufficient government funding and low wages. However, she has always been committed to her mission to make a difference in the lives of her patients and their families. 

As Marilyn embarks on this new chapter of her life, she leaves behind a profound impact on the Gerringong community. Her dedication to nursing education, mentoring younger nurses, and advocating for improved healthcare funding stand as a testament to her unwavering commitment to the well-being of others. 

Marilyn appreciates the countless individuals who have shared in her career and journey, from her coworkers to her patients and the residents of Gerringong. Marilyn leaves behind a legacy of compassion, dedication and commitment to improving the lives of those she served. As she goes on to the next chapter she thanks the doctors, her nursing colleagues and all the staff residents and patients who have shared in her rewarding journey.