Memories of TNH

Memories of TNH

In March 2010 my daughter Katy was nursing at the Northern Hospital Epping (TNH). I was coming off four and a half years of Locums over Australia as a radiographer and looking for a placement in Victoria. Katy said their was a vacancy at TNH Medical Imaging. A private business in a public hospital. I applied to the Chief Sharon Grail as a locum for six weeks. This week after over four and a half years I leave; the following video is a reminder of the times I enjoyed but mostly of the people I worked with and who I came to love and respect.

 

 

It struck me fairly soon after starting that this was a busy, challenging yet great place to work. Similar to what I had experienced as an apprentice sheet metal worker, as an army officer, and as chief of Port Headland Radiography. The place was full of young people; students, interns, graduates, locums and a smattering of middle career managers. An older fella like me would seem out of place but I soon found a ready home in their company and a fulfilling role as mentor and trainer. The people turnover in the place was exceptional  when I started there as a new company had taken over and changed a few things which had knocked some things over. But after a while the situation stabilised and we had a very good department. As I have said before the people at TNH Medical Imaging are exceptional and what made the place the great place it is. A little while in I was made a 2IC of general radiography which was a privilege   and an honour. I settled into a part time working life of great variety, energy, and challenge. I thought at one time that this would be the job that would be my last or would see me out to retirement.

 

In late 2012 I accepted a position as a union delegate to negotiate with our employer a new Enterprise Agreement (EA) I naively thought at the time that this would be a chance to help my fellow workers and the company to come to a neat and suitable agreement that would suit both parties and be of mutual benefit to all. At this time the agreement has still not been settled (But it is close and up for a vote soon) and their has been a period this year of great unrest and agitation. Their have been stop works and other industrial action all basically because the company would delay, prevaricate, and frustrate the delegates and their employees. They would never negotiate in good faith and with timely responses. Ideology and doctrine seemed to take over from reason and compromise. Thirteen workers were locked out at various times, I was the only one locked out twice. People lost jobs and careers. Most people do not know that I was also demoted from 2ic generals at around this time also, on the floor it did not make any difference. To say that I was not affected by all this would be untrue as my demeanour and health suffered to some degree. The support, strength of  Maureen, my family, union, and fellow workers was the difference that pulled me through.

 

It has been sad to see the companies  and TNH's name come to be branded in the industry as a pariah over the companies actions and handling of this matter. It has also been sad to see so many young people of promise loose faith in their employer and situation and become so cynical or move on to a perceived better future.  It could have be so different because the company could  produce a career path if it was structured differently and had another attitude.

 

I leave with no regrets but two:

 

• That the AE is not finalised,
• and
• I leave my fellow workers who I love and admire so much.

I leave to probably my last job as a subcontractor to a  private company who has a contract with a large government agency. It is a new area with innovation and new fields to be explored which will suit my demeanour and training. So thank you to you all my colleagues at TNH Medical Imaging you  will be an enduring presence and memory in my life.

 

 

 

John Condliffe is a Radiographer/Manager while at TNH he completed his first novel-Kiss of the King Brown and is about to have his second book published A Letter to My Daughters.

 

 

This is a great song The Way We Were-Ah memories such memories.