Awards 2023

Janet Elliott

Nominated by Kenneth J Cohalen OAM 

Seconded by Mrs Gwenda May Smallacombe

Janet Elliot was born in May, 1951 at Wentworthville, NSW. After leaving school in 1968, Janet joined the Nursing profession, completing her Nurse's training at Parramatta District Hospital, NSW.

In the 1970's, Janet moved to the sleepy NSW coastal town of Callala Bay and commenced the next stage of her nursing career at Nowra Community Hospital, Here, Janet undertook a variety of nursing roles within the hospital and it was her that she met her second husband, John Elliott and in 1982, they married in Nowra and late in 1982, Janet gave birth to Tameka and in 1985 to Chris, providing siblings for Nadine, her first

born and completing her family.

in 2005, Janet visited Darwin to support Nadine, her eldest daughter, give birth to Janet's first grandchild. During her visit, she felt that Darwin was to become her next home. Subsequently, in 2006, Janet re-located to Darwin to commence a new pathway in her career with a position in NT Cardiac at Darwin Private Hospital.

After a brief stint in Alice Springs, Janet returned to Darwin, joining the Surgical Nursing Ward 2B at RDH. During this time, she continued to work whilst having treatment for breast cancer and later transferred to 'Hospital In The Home Service' under the infectious Disease umbrella. Janet retired from nursing in 2017. However, she continues caring for people, both in her own family and friends that she has formed relationships since moving to Darwin.

In 2008 after stopping at an information booth at Casuarina Shopping Square, Janet joined Darwin Probus Club and very soon after, became a member of the Executive Committee. At the time, there was only one Probus Club in Darwin with a combined male and female membership of 30. Within a year, Janet had been voted in as the first female President of Probus in the NT. Her first major task was to plan and execute the 25th anniversary of Probus in Darwin.

In 2009, Janet was on the organizing committee for the Probus Rendezvous'. This

involved a trip to Perth to see how such events were organised and run and to promote

Darwin as the next major destination for Probus Rendezvous. In 2010, 450 National and

International Probus Members arrived in Darwin where events were conducted at the Darwin Entertainment Centre and other city venues. It featured a large lineup of multicultural talent, local tours, dinners and concerts. A time for new friendships and for visitors to experience Darwin. This was a big job in which Janet willingly assisted with the many arrangements including tours, accommodation, venues for various events, preparation of delegate handouts, identification and clothing for Darwin delegates, there

was so much to do and Janet was right in there.

Janet has continued to be a very strong supporter of the Probus Club of Darwin, serving on the Executive Management Committee of the Club from 2016 to the present. She took on the role of Vice President in 2016 and again in 2021. Janet became Darwin Probus' President in 2022 and 2023 and has seen membership grow to122. Janet is always available to lend a helping hand, to give members unableto drive, a lift todinners and always there at the bedsides of members in hospital or sick at home.

Janet was awarded Life Membership of Probus Club of Darwin in 2019. She is a uniting force whose motto is to encourage Seniors to be active, have fun and support each other