Gloucester’s Brenda McDonald keeps giving despite the odds

BRENDA McDonald has had to contend with ill health for most of her life. 

When she was five, she contracted polio, though she recalls her symptoms were mild.

At 13, she spent three months in hospital with thyroid problems, and at  22, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

Since then, Brenda has faced cancer in various parts of her body, most recently breast cancer five years ago.

She has also undergone heart bypass surgery.

In recent years, it has been post polio syndrome that has resurfaced, causing impairment and draining her energy out.

But Brenda has never allowed illness to stop her from caring for or helping others.

“When I was 13, a nurse wrote in my autograph book and I”ve held onto it all my life,” she said.

“I shall pass through this world but once – any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now.

“Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

Those words shaped her life.

At 18, Brenda and her husband Ken served as missionaries for the Presbyterian Mission Board.

Later, she worked for six years in Tangentjere Council, setting up new Aboriginal organisations – CAAMA, Imparja and ANTAR.

After completing Chaplaincy and Bereavement Counselling at Royal North Shore Hospital, Brenda established a chaplaincy service at the new Alice Springs hospital.

She later worked as a Chaplain at Westmead Hospital, then in a nursing home as a Diversional Therapist before being employed to establish a local neighbourhood centre.

“I have been involved in AA,Compassionate Friends, Grow etc. I was involved in training [for] various types of counselling including Bereavement and Aids Counselling.”

Among her many achievements, Brenda started the first Aboriginal CWA in South Australia.

For the last few years, 82-year-old Brenda has been knitting for the Gloucester CWA.

She has made clothes and blankets for premature babies, and beanies for the Newcastle Seafarer’s Mission.

There’s certainly no stopping for Brenda.

By Kim TEOH