Interview with Sister Margaret Lancaster

Thirza Margaret Lancaster born Sydney 1944. Talks about education in Sydney and nursing training at Prince Henry Hospital at Little Bay La Perouse in 1962-1966. On completion of training recalls working for twelve months as a lay missionary with the Flying Doctor Service at Bathurst Island, Darwin before doing midwifery training in Launceton, Tasmania in 1967. Recalls coming to New Zealand with friend on a working holiday, running out of money and finding a job at Calvary Hospital Wellington run by the sisters of the Little Company of Mary and deciding to enter the convent as a postulant in 1968. Talks about discipline of White Novice year and extensionn of the training as a nurse and midwife. Refers to Mary Potter [Founder of Order]. Recalls final profession as a nun in 1975 and work in geriatric ward on ground floor of Calvary [Hospital].

Refers to seminar given by Father Tom Curren who spoke about death and dying and bereavement and her request to General Chapter for beds for terminally ill. Talks about Dr Alan Gray. Backgrounds development of the Mary Potter Hospice for patients dying with cancer and the difficulties involved. Refers to Michael Shepherd and Keith Humphries. Talks about Betty Fowler who started the Volunteers. Discusses the friction between the surgical hospital and the Hospice. Refers to Mr Taggart, CEO. Talks about Max Cavitt who started bereavement care, later taking over as CEO of the hospice and Dr Geoff Kiddle's part in obtaining government funding for 12 beds for Calvary. Continues discussing progress of the hospice, eventually moving it to a new building in Mein Street, Newtown. Mentions Ruth Gotlieb. Notes that on sale of Calvary Hospital, the Little Company of Mary gave the title and deeds of the Hospice to the people of Wellington. Discusses education re palliative care and the use of morphine pumps.

Recalls other experiences: overseas tour, funded by the Cancer Society, of hospices in London, Scotland, Ireland, Canada etc; four years in Tonga with Sister Lusia working with children who had ear problems; becoming Provincial of the order for five years; involvement with setting up the Catholic Health Association; year studying Women's Studies and involvement with Marsden Day Care Club in Karori, a specialised centre for day care and relative support for Alzheimers.

Access Contact - see oral history librarian

Interviewer(s) - Ann Trotter

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-0093975-009401

Quantity: 5 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration. 3 Electronic document(s).

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3042.

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.